Kilifi innovator walks 500km to Nairobi in bid to transform Kenya's education system

For many young people, innovation remains little more than a pipe dream trapped in notebooks and conversations. But for Baraka Chula, a youthful innovator from Kilifi County, the dream was worth a 27-day journey on foot from Malindi to Nairobi, covering more than 500 kilometres in pursuit of awareness, support, recognition and an opportunity to transform Kenya’s education sector.

Chula is the brain behind M-Card, a digital innovation aimed at bridging communication and support gaps between students, teachers, schools, parents, sponsors, non-governmental organisations and government institutions.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the project, Chula said he was moved by the struggles many learners face in their quest for education.

“I saw many students missing opportunities because of school fee challenges, lack of proper support systems, and poor communication between schools, parents and potential sponsors. I wanted to create a platform that would connect all education stakeholders in a simple and transparent way,” he told the City Biz crew in Kilifi.

According to Chula, M-Card is designed as a smart digital platform through which schools and teachers can better monitor and support students, parents can keep track of their children’s educational progress, and sponsors or organisations can easily identify and assist vulnerable learners.

He envisions the innovation as not only improving communication but also promoting accountability and transparency in student support programmes. “Through M-Card, we hope to reduce school dropout rates, create opportunities for needy students and accelerate digital transformation in the education sector,” he said.

Despite the promising vision, the innovation is currently at the prototype development stage. Chula says he is actively seeking partnerships, mentorship, investment and support from individuals and organisations that believe in youth-driven solutions.

His determination to see the idea succeed was demonstrated by his remarkable decision to walk from Malindi to Nairobi, a journey that tested his physical and mental endurance. “The 27-day walk was one of the most difficult but inspiring experiences of my life. I chose to walk because I wanted Kenyans to understand the vision behind M-Card and to demonstrate my commitment to creating change,” he said.

Road challenges

Throughout the journey, Chula battled fatigue, harsh weather conditions and limited resources. However, he says the kindness and encouragement he received from ordinary Kenyans, youth groups, leaders and well-wishers gave him the strength to continue. “Many people stopped to listen to my story. They encouraged me and shared their own experiences about the difficulties students face in accessing quality education and financial support,” he recalled.

Beyond the social impact, Chula believes M-Card has the potential to become a sustainable business venture capable of generating significant revenue.

He revealed that the platform’s income model will be driven by school subscriptions, institutional partnerships and specialised digital services. “We anticipate generating revenue through school subscriptions and partnerships. The platform will also earn from the ‘Okoa Fund Me’ profile boost feature, where users can pay to increase the visibility of their campaigns,” he explained.

Another key revenue stream will come through EduShare, a digital library section within the platform where students can access and purchase educational materials online.

According to Chula, the journey to Nairobi achieved more than just publicity. It opened doors to conversations with leaders, parents, students and potential partners while attracting public and media attention to his innovation. “The walk helped me build networks, gain support and spread the message that technology can be used to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our education system,” he told our crew.

As he continues searching for investors and strategic partnerships, Chula remains optimistic that M-Card will grow into a transformative educational technology platform with an impact beyond Kenya’s borders.

His message to fellow young innovators is one of resilience and courage. “Young people should believe in their ideas and never allow challenges to kill their dreams. Every great innovation begins with a vision, determination and the courage to take the first step,” he said.