Dr. Matiang’i makes his remarks during the event
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), has rolled out Taifa Laptop to the Kenyan market. The computing device, conceived and designed under the TAIFA Brand, is a maiden product of the Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park (NITP), a subsidiary of JKUAT.
The Taifa Laptop, launched last December, becomes the first locally conceived and designed computer to retail in Kenya. The Laptop will be available in selected stores in Nairobi, beginning this week, and will offer an opportunity to Kenyans to buy a homegrown innovation that is poised to transform the country’s technological landscape, as well as enhancing our sense of national pride in Kenyan products.
Speaking Friday June 12 at the event in Nairobi, ICT Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matiang’i hailed the milestone as landmark in local ICT sector and critical addition to Kenya’s manufacturing bid.
Citing yesterday’s budget reading in which the treasury zero rated tax on computer parts, Dr. Matiang’i said JKUAT had a good opportunity to undertake local assembly of electronic devices. This, he added, could boost government’s efforts to mainstream ICT in the country’s productive system including education sector.
Prof. Mabel Imbuga (second left) takes Dr. Matiang’i through the Taifa Laptop as JKUAT Chancellor, Prof. Maloiy (second right) and Kiambu Deputy Governor, Gerald Githinji (left) follow
“The Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park which is a Vision 2030 flagship project advances the triple heritage of providing world class solutions, creating employment while promoting the brand buy Kenya build Kenya,” Dr. Matiang’i said.
JKUAT Vice Chancellor Prof. Mabel Imbuga said, Taifa Laptop attests to the versatility of the Kenyan innovations, and it affirms the country’s capacity to harness the vast knowledge in ICT and manufacturing to develop highly competitive products in the global market.
“Taifa Laptop is a product of collaborative research output by progressive stakeholders including the Government of Kenya, who have a shared vision of making the country, not only a robust economy in the region and Africa, but also home to technological innovation,” Prof. Imbuga said.
The Vice chancellor further said that JKUAT envisions a Kenya in which the citizens are confident of their future because we have built strong foundations through research, collaborations and public private partnerships aimed at equipping the young people with relevant knowledge that will improve their lives and help create sustainable wealth for our country,” she added.
Prof. Imbuga added, the laptop was actualized in partnership with Inspur, an international firm based in China, where the currently retailing devices were assembled.
Following the success, a multipurpose assembly line to be commissioned in September 2015, is currently being installed at the Juja-based Nairobi Industrial and Technology Park.
NITP Director Dr. Suleiman Oketch said the Taifa Brand is premised on a simple but powerful concept of harnessing technology to inspire innovation and is fully captured in our slogan ‘Technology inspiring Africa,”
A model displays the Taifa Laptop during the event
The Project is modeled along a cost-effective production and manufacturing framework that involves importation of custom design and general design parts then locally assembling them into whole units within the TAIFA range of products.
TAIFA Brand is the conceptual name that shelters a range of products that will be unveiled to the Kenyan market aimed at addressing specific market needs and also spur the country’s economic growth especially in ICT equipment manufacturing.
The event was attended by JKUAT Chancellor, Prof. Geoffrey Ole Maloiy, Kimbu Deputy Governor, Gerald Githinji, Director General National Youth Service Dr. Nelson Githinji, and representatives of various organizations