Kenya News:Technology transforms learning in Kenya's institutions

 Many institutions of higher learning in Africa have been accused of focusing on theory work at the expense of research and innovation.

Experts have cited this as one of the reasons why Africa has stagnated in its development. Many universities have been unable to come up with cheaper innovations that can help uplift people's lives and develop countries.

The state-of-affairs has also been blamed for Africa's reliance of goods and technology from countries in America, Asia and Europe.

But one university in Kenya is setting an example in coming up with cheaper technology that can help support people's lives by generating income.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has come up with various equipment and tools.

One such a tool is an eco-block making machine. The machine is used to make block using red loam soil that is mixed with loam soil and water and then compacted.

The technology, which though has had a lukewarm reception in Kenya, real estate experts note can be used to bring down the cost of building houses in the country by up to 50 per cent. "The machine is designed in such a way that blocks are made using minimum cement and sand, therefore making them cheaper," says James Mogaka, an engineer at JKUAT.

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