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By Sharon Kiburi
Nairobi, Kenya: “My story in educational technology began not from ambition, but from observation and the values I was taught at Starehe, thinking beyond ourselves and giving back to the society that shaped us,” Levis Mokaya, a 19-year-old dedicated first-year Data Science student at the University of Nairobi and an alumnus of Starehe Boys Centre & School.
Mr Mokaya is part of a new wave of tech innovators who are using their skills to address pressing community issues. His work encompasses both entrepreneurial and non-profit projects, showcasing a unique combination of technical expertise and a strong commitment to social transformation.
Projects and Initiatives Driven by a “Purpose over Popularity” Philosophy
“After completing high school, I volunteered as a computer teacher at Kitengela Adventist School (KAS). During this time, I noticed that the school still relied heavily on manual systems for recording exam results, calculating totals, and generating student reports,” Elaborated Mr Mokaya. Additionally, he noticed that teachers would bring handwritten mark lists, and I was asked to digitise them in Excel. But soon, the workload became overwhelming, every teacher wanted their class lists automated, and I realised the problem wasn’t effort, it was the system itself.
“That moment of frustration became my ‘aha! Moment. I asked myself, “What if teachers could enter marks directly into a system that automatically handles everything, totals, means, ranks, and reports?” stated Mokaya. That’s how ShuleTech Solutions was born.
Mokaya’s work is driven by the principle that technology should primarily serve people rather than profit. This philosophy is reflected in his diverse portfolio. He founded Shuletech Solutions, a company that develops comprehensive digital management systems for schools. These systems provide tools to streamline student performance tracking, analytics, and administrative tasks. The goal of this flagship project is to empower schools to operate more efficiently.
Using PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, I developed a school performance and management system that automates academic processes. Instead of paper-based entry, teachers now enter student marks on their phones or computers. The system automatically computes totals, means, and rankings, generating printable, error-free mark lists in seconds.
- The impact at Kitengela Adventist School has been significant:
- Teachers save hours of manual work every exam season.
- Errors in tabulation have been almost completely eliminated.
- School administrators can now access instant performance summaries and analytics.
EducateAll Youth Organisation
His passion for educational access led to my second major project, EducateAll Youth Organisation (educateallyouth.co.ke), a platform I built as the Lead Developer. The goal was simple: to connect underprivileged teens with mentors, scholarships, and opportunities that could change their lives.
Since launching, we have connected over 500 teens to mentorship programs and scholarship information.
Several have secured placements at high schools like Starehe Boys’ Centre and universities like USIU through scholarships they would never have discovered otherwise.
Beyond scholarships, EducateAll now serves as a hub for mentorship, vocational guidance, and real-time updates on opportunities, helping students make informed decisions about their careers and education.
As the system’s designer, my mission was to ensure no bright student misses an opportunity simply because they lacked access to information.
My Motivation
My personal motto guides every system I build: “Purpose over Popularity,” Mr Makoya.
I’ve never been driven by creating something famous, but by solving problems that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“I often say that technology should serve people first before profits. My approach is deeply human-centred. Before developing any system, I talked to teachers and some students to understand what frustrates them most.
That’s how I ensure each solution fits real needs, not assumptions.
This mindset comes directly from Starehe, where we were taught that true success lies in service to others.
Looking Ahead
Currently, I am working on ElemNote, an AI-powered study assistant for students that summarises notes, generates quizzes, and predicts examinable areas based on uploaded material. I am still in the prototyping phase, but it can revolutionise how students study and prepare for exams.
Mokaya’s methodology combines analytical precision with human-centred design, which is a rare blend. He emphasises the importance of empathy in building systems, believing that innovation comes from “understanding the people it affects” and creating solutions that genuinely meet their needs. Mokaya is recognised for his strong work ethic, integrity, and growth mindset qualities that make him a key figure in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital landscape. He is developing an innovative application that will transform learning in universities.
