We had the honour of representing our university, together with my teammate Sharlyne Biwott, at the Innovate 254 Hackathon, held at Tom Mboya University in Homa Bay County. The event brought together young innovators from across Kenya to design digital solutions for real-world challenges. For us, it was not only a chance to compete but also an opportunity to showcase how technology can be applied ethically to address pressing problems while highlighting the importance of innovation in today’s digital economy.

At the hackathon, we pitched our solution, 254 Usalama, an AI-driven cybersecurity platform tailored for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, yet they are often left exposed to growing cyber threats because they lack the resources and expertise of larger corporations. With 254 Usalama, our vision was to bridge this gap by creating a solution that is both powerful and accessible, giving SMEs the tools to defend themselves from increasingly sophisticated attacks.

254 Usalama addresses threats such as phishing, ransomware, brute-force intrusions, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. During our presentation, we demonstrated a prototype that already integrates:

• Real-time threat detection and response
• Automated alerts and reports in simple language
• Behavioral analysis to detect unusual activity
• Data encryption and access controls
• A user-friendly dashboard requiring no advanced IT skills

We showcased our solution featuring a voice agent and chatbot that allow SMEs to interact with the system seamlessly. Watching the platform detect simulated threats live at the hackathon was a proud moment, proving that cybersecurity can indeed be simplified and made affordable to businesses of all sizes using AI

The journey to build the prototype within the limited time was not easy. It tested our resilience, creativity, and teamwork. Working closely with Sharlyne was an invaluable experience, as we combined our strengths to refine the idea, build the system, and deliver a clear presentation. Through determination and collaboration, we overcame challenges, and when our team was announced as the 1st Runners-Up in the Prototype category, it was a moment of joy, pride, and validation for both of us.

We are also grateful to Her Excellency, Governor Gladys Wanga, for supporting youth innovation, and to the mentors and judges who provided invaluable guidance throughout the competition.

For us, 254 Usalama is more than a hackathon project, it is the beginning of a journey to make cybersecurity accessible to SMEs across Kenya and Africa. This milestone has strengthened our commitment to using AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity to develop ethical, inclusive, and impactful digital solutions that will protect businesses and drive economic growth.