32Yrs Youthful Entrepreneur & ICT Guru Beats The Odds To Set Trends

In the field of ICT, one day you are in, and the next, your programs and softwares are yesterday’s business. That’s at least one of the odds that ICT guru’s have to reckon with.

At the age of 32, Jonathan Misoi is one of the budding entrepreneurs in Eldoret and the neighbouring counties in a field that has made him an inspiration and role model to many young people.

He spoke to Mathews Ndanyi and below is an excerpt of that interview.

What did he study?
He currently holds a Master's degree in Computer Science (Web Information Systems) from Vrije
University Brussels, Belgium and a BSc. in Information Sciences (Information Technology) from Moi University.

What does he do?
He is already an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) guru and one of the youngest investors in Eldoret who has turned his wealth of expertise in ICT into a business that he is using to transform the lives of many youth.

Jonathan Misoi, Founder & CEO of DigiTalk Technologies Ltd

He is the founder and CEO of DigiTalk Technologies Ltd a consultancy company involved in providing ICT solutions, fibre optics training, empowering and mentoring youths to pursue ICT careers and businesses in Kenya is a trail blazer in the region.

What drives him to performance in the IT industry?
I am driven by the passion to use ICT as a serious business which has already transformed my own life and now I want to contribute to a Kenya where youth will use technology to succeed in life.

What is he doing to make sure that ICT spreads through the country?
Misoi is now an avid motivational speaker at various forums, schools and colleges where he teaches the youth and other Kenyans on how to turn ICT knowledge into profit making business.
Misoi has published his first book known as the “ICT CAKE” which he hopes will positively influence the youth to venture into the ICT industry.

What is the book about?
“ICT CAKE” analyses four areas through which ICT can provide opportunities to Kenyans, especially the youths. The book acts as a career guide to those keen on pursuing ICT or taking it up as a business. It covers education, ICT careers, ICT and entrepreneurship and web technologies.

What challenges are there in the ICT industry?
It’s a very volatile, delicate and dangerous carrier.  You are relevant one time and within six month you are obsolete because technology changes very fast,” said Misoi. The remedy he says is continuous training for one to remain relevant and adapt to changes in the industry.

What recognition has he got so far?
Misoi was recognized by the United Nations IT arm and was among two Kenyans selected to attend a global conference on ICT in Hong Kong where he rubbed shoulders with the world’s top ICT experts.
He is also the ITU youth Fellow 2006 (Hong Kong) and former vice president of Youth Council in ICT within the East African Community countries. He is widely travelled and involved in several ICT related projects across the world.

What advice does he have to offer to young ICT gurus?
We only need to get our youth to look at ICT and related programmes as a serious business. It’s not just the business of selling computers and accessories but there are many other ways to use ICT as a carrier and a business through which may jobs can also be created