By FREDRICK OBURA

Frankline Ochieng's interest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) began early. At age six, when computers were rare, he had access to one.

But then his interest was computer games.

While he was a student at Friends School Kamusinga, an aunt gave him a computer as a present. Soon he became interested in developing computer systems (software) that provide solutions to everyday problems.

Last month, the third year Computer Science student at University of Nairobi School of Computing and Informatics was feted for a software that tracks lost mobile phones in real time.

The software also known as Mobi-hunter is installed in a mobile phone. When a phone is stolen and a different sim-card is inserted, it immediately detects the action and sends alerts to an alternative number provided by a subscriber.

He says the software would curb growing mobile phone theft. "Mobile phones have become an integral part of life," he says.

Based on the Googlemaps concept, Mobi-hunter relays the location of a missing phone to a particular number or server manned by a service provider, giving the owner a chance to track the thief.

Ochieng’ is looking to partner with telecommunication companies and mobile phone manufacturers to help adopt the concept.

Incubates

During a recent ICT and entrepreneurship competition sponsored by University of Nairobi, Technoserve and Nokia, his creation won in the category of uniqueness and innovation. He was awarded a certificate and a high-end mobile phone.

Contestants Ernest Omondi, Simon Ndunda, Evelyn Kavata, Eric Ngeith, and Kelvin Kinyili were also feted.

According to Technoserve, the students have innovative ICT ideas and applications some of which can be incubated immediately to help the country achieve Vision 2030.

"We believe this training offers an opportunity to nurture these skills as they prepare to graduate and go into industry or start their own businesses," said Peter Waiganjo, a senior lecturer at the School of Computing and Informatics.

The three institutions earlier in the year partnered to instil entrepreneurship skills among the university students. The eight-week competition involved drawing a business plan by 13 groups of second and third year computer science students.

According to the organisers, the contest promotes self-employment to reduce unemployment.