Shikoh Gitau facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dr. Shikoh Gitau
At Sangonet's 2009 conference
Born	c. 1981 Mathare, Kenya
Nationality	Kenyan
Alma mater	Africa Nazarene University University of Cape Town
Known for	M-Ganga (founder) Ummeli (founder)

Dr. Shikoh Gitau, born around 1981, is a brilliant computer scientist from Kenya. She is famous for creating two important mobile apps: M-Ganga, which helps with health and medicine, and Ummeli, which connects people looking for jobs with employers.

Dr. Gitau was the first person from Africa to win the special Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship. She received this award because of her amazing inventions and her research. She used to work at the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), where she helped manage programs that used technology to help people grow.

Since 2020, Dr. Shikoh Gitau has been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qhala. This is a technology company she started, and it works on making Africa more digital.

Early life and education

Shikoh Gitau grew up in a working-class family in Mathare, Kenya. When she was very young, her family lost their home after a difficult event in Kenya's history in 1982. They then moved to live with relatives in Nakuru.

While growing up in Nakuru, Dr. Gitau saw a university graduation ceremony on television. She watched a woman receive a PhD from the president at the time, Daniel arap Moi. This moment truly inspired her to want to go to college and get a high-level degree herself.

University studies

Dr. Gitau went to Africa Nazarene University (ANU) in Nairobi for her first degree in Computer Science. She was an excellent student, always on the Honor Roll and Dean's List. She also won awards for her academic achievements and leadership in 2003 and 2005.

After finishing her degree, she volunteered for UNICEF for a short time. Then, she worked at the Centre for Multiparty Democracy, a group in Kenya that works for political change. In 2007, she decided to continue her studies. She enrolled at the University of Cape Town to earn her Master's degree and then her PhD in Computer Science.

Career and innovations

Dr. Gitau has worked in many different areas, always aiming to help Africa develop. One of her most well-known achievements is her mobile application called "Ummeli."

Ummeli app

She created the Ummeli app in June 2010. This app helps unemployed people find jobs by connecting them with employers who need their skills. It's very useful because it's affordable and practical. The Ummeli app has a lot of potential to help reduce unemployment. It is currently available in South Africa and is expected to be used in other African countries soon.

Work at Google and iHub_Research

In December 2010, Dr. Gitau started working for Google Inc's Emerging Markets team. There, she helped create and launch the www.beba.co.ke concept, which was introduced to Kenya's public transport system.

In January 2011, Dr. Gitau also became a co-founder and research mentor for iHub_Research. In this role, she led research on how people in Africa use mobile internet. She also worked on the Microsoft oneApp project.

African Development Bank and Safaricom

From January 2015 to August 2017, Dr. Gitau worked in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department at the African Development Bank (AfDB). She helped develop various technology projects with different governments across Africa.

After that, she worked at Safaricom from September 2017 to January 2020. At Safaricom, she was in charge of the company's Alpha innovation and digital transformation plans.

COVID-19 ICT Advisory Committee

In April 2020, Dr. Gitau was appointed to the COVID-19 ICT Advisory Committee by the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Joseph Mucheru. Her team's job was to help the government respond to the pandemic using new technology solutions.

Current role and board memberships

Today, Dr. Gitau is the CEO of Qhala. She also serves on the boards and committees of several important organizations, including:

• Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)
• International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE)
• Lacuna Fund
• Integrated Payments Service Limited
• Africa Nazarene University
• The Open Institute
• The Tech Interactive
• Longhorn Publishers PLC

Awards and recognitions

Dr. Shikoh Gitau has received many awards for her contributions to technology and development.

ABIE Change Agent Award

On July 31, 2013, Dr. Gitau was one of three people to win the ABIE Change Agent Award. She made history by becoming the first African to win the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship. She was honored with other award winners in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 5, during the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC).

Most Influential Women CEO Global

In 2017, Dr. Gitau was recognized as the Most Influential Women CEO Global for East Africa in the Information and communications technology (ICT) sector. This award was given by the Independent Magazine.

Other notable recognitions

• 2005: Top Ten Finalists for Oxford Rhodes Memorial Scholarship
• 2013: Listed on the AfroElle Power List of African women who create positive change
• 2015: Named one of the Top 40 under 40 women to watch in Kenya
• 2015: Became an ASPEN New Voices Fellow