By Dr. Nathan Gitonga
BARATON, KENYA – 23rd March 2025
The University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (UEAB) is celebrating a significant triumph as Mr. Meule Overmass Wafula, a Bachelor of Business Administration student, advances to the final round of the prestigious KeNIA’s Presidential Challenge & Innovation Award. This remarkable achievement was announced during the high-profile pitching and challenge event held on 20th March 2025 in Naivasha, spotlighting UEAB’s continued commitment to nurturing transformational thinkers and world-class innovators.
Mr. Wafula’s brainchild, M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP, first germinated in June 2024, driven by a vision to streamline Africa’s retail purchasing experience. Frustrated by long lines in supermarkets, Mr. Wafula devised a novel solution: a sophisticated self-checkout technology that reduces wait times and enhances consumer convenience. After gaining swift traction, M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP received its first major recognition in November 2024 by clinching the Baraton Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards 2024.
The innovation then took center stage at Kenya Innovation Week (Africa Edition) 2024 in November, garnering attention from key stakeholders and industry leaders. This momentum carried into 2025, culminating in the project being named as a finalist for the Presidential Innovation Challenge & Awards 2024-2025—an honor that cements UEAB’s reputation as a hub for trailblazing research and student-led innovation.
M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP: A Pioneer in African Retail Automation
Touted as Africa’s first smart self-checkout shopping cart system, M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP merges RFID, IoT sensors, NFC payments, and a cloud-based POS solution. Customers can simply scan, pay, and go—no cashier needed. Designed with the African consumer in mind, it integrates trusted mobile payment methods like M-Pesa and offers real-time customer insights to retailers and manufacturers.
As M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP moves into the next phase—prototype refinement, strategic partnerships, and eventual market deployment—UEAB proudly stands beside Mr. Wafula. This milestone underscores the university’s dedication to fostering innovation that addresses African challenges head-on and resonates globally. By championing forward-thinking projects like M-KIONDO CHAPCHAP, the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton continues to demonstrate its unwavering resolve to shape the future of business and technology in Kenya and beyond.