When Mary Muigai noticed a security gap in her community, she turned it into a teaching moment. Working with her students at Tumaini Innovation Centre in Eldoret, she guided them to develop a Solar Alert System — a sensor-based security device that detects intruders, sounds an alarm, and sends a text alert to the user.
Powered entirely by solar energy, the system is designed to remain operational during power outages, enhancing security for homes and farms and enabling quicker responses to potential threats.
Muigai, who describes herself as “a project instructor and ICT trainer,” says her main focus is on training students in ICT and project development.
“We have IoT projects and software projects,” she explained.
How Eldoret innovator developed Solar Alert System
Her innovation journey was sparked by a training opportunity she discovered online. “I saw a link on Eldohub social media advertising about an IT programme — a six-week training on full IT — that I joined,” she said. “The training was about how to define, design, identify and solve the challenge, come up with something tangible.”
Even before enrolling in the programme, Muigai and her students had already begun tackling local challenges. “I had developed a programme with the student that was trying to solve the problem where the chicken was being stolen from the chicken hatch during rainy season,” she recalled. “They wanted a product that would work even without electricity, and that is when we came up with a solar alarm system.”
The Solar Alert System integrates several components: a solar panel, the main power source that charges the battery; an infrared sensor that detects motion; a buzzer that produces the alarm sound; and an LED.
Beyond its technical value, the project is equipping young people with practical skills in ICT, problem-solving, and product development. Muigai believes such platforms are especially important for empowering girls.
“According to me, if I’m given this platform and I’m advising the girl child, do what you want, and you’re passionate about it,” she said.
The Solar Alert System is more than just a device — it is a symbol of how community challenges can inspire innovation, and how mentorship can turn ideas into solutions with real impact.
Watch her story below:
