President William Ruto’s daughter, Charlene Ruto, has announced a new competition aimed at empowering Kenyan youth through technology and design.
In a statement shared on Saturday, January 11, Charlene unveiled the launch of a UI/UX website design competition under The Young People’s Network International (TYPNI), an organization she founded and serves as patron.
The competition invites teams of three, comprising members aged between 18 and 35 years, to showcase their creativity and technical skills. Each team must include company directors, submit three links to previous work, and provide a brief technical proposal to qualify.
Cash Prize and Timeline
Participants stand a chance to win a total prize of $1,500 (approximately Ksh194,000).
“It’s time for our next big thing – the Website Competition! If you’re between 18-35 years, gather a team of 3 and show us what you’ve got!” Charlene announced.
“Win $1,500 USD! Let’s see your creativity shine with TYPNI.”
Submissions can be sent to [email protected], with the deadline set for February 11, 2025. Public voting for the top designs will take place from February 25 to March 4, 2025, and the winners will be announced on March 3, 2025.
Website Design Requirements
The competition emphasizes the following:
- Youthful Appeal: Use vibrant and modern visuals incorporating TYPNI colors.
- Mobile-First Design: Optimize layouts for mobile viewing.
- Simple Navigation: Ensure intuitive and user-friendly navigation.
- Community Engagement: Propose features that encourage user interaction.
- Accessibility: Use inclusive fonts and high-contrast colors.
- Unique Features: Include creative elements that make the design stand out.
Previous TYPNI Competitions
Last year, Charlene announced a competition to design TYPNI’s logo, with the winner taking home Ksh100,000. The winner, Kevin Chege, alongside runners-up Sheldon Avedi and Cynthia Wambui, received their awards during a ceremony on May 19, 2024.
Charlene Ruto’s Other Initiatives
Beyond TYPNI, Charlene is also the founder of the Smart Mechanized Agriculture & Climate Action for Humanity & Sustainability (SMACHS) Foundation.
SMACHS Foundation empowers young people to lead the fight against hunger and climate change by promoting youth-led, climate-smart agricultural practices. The foundation focuses on three key thematic areas:
- Food security
- Climate action
- Mechanized agricultural innovation
Charlene also serves as Kenya’s Blood Ambassador, a role she assumed in January 2024 after her appointment by the Ministry of Health for her efforts in mobilizing resources for blood donation initiatives.
These initiatives reflect Charlene Ruto’s ongoing commitment to empowering the youth and addressing pressing societal challenges through innovative approaches.
