Dennis Syengo, a computer science student from Egerton University, is part of a brilliant team using artificial intelligence to help Kenya breathe cleaner air. Their innovation — an AI-powered air quality monitoring system — listens to the air, detects pollution in real time, and predicts patterns that can guide climate action and farming decisions.

In this episode, I speak with Dennis about how their project began at Egerton University, how they represented Kenya at the Huawei ICT Global Competition, and the lessons they learned building world-class technology from the ground up.

We explore how AI and IoT can be used for environmental protection, the future of smart cities, and the vital role of young innovators in shaping Africa’s sustainability journey.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

How Egerton University students developed an AI-based air quality monitoring system

How artificial intelligence is transforming climate and environmental data collection

The journey from classroom innovation to global recognition at Huawei ICT

Challenges of innovating with limited resources — and how they overcame them

Opportunities for youth-led solutions in Kenya’s tech ecosystem

What’s next for Dennis and his team of Egerton innovators

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: What if the air around us could talk?
00:40 – Meet Dennis Syengo, Egerton University student and innovator
01:35 – How the idea began: Huawei ICT Competition inspiration
02:45 – Team roles: IoT, AI, and system development
03:50 – Why air quality matters for Kenyan cities
04:30 – How the Smart Air Quality Monitoring System works
06:00 – Step-by-step: collecting and analyzing air data
07:15 – Pollution trends observed in Nakuru
08:30 – Egerton University’s support and patenting process
10:50 – Competing at Huawei ICT Nationals and Regionals
13:00 – From Kenya to South Africa: Winning the Sub-Saharan Prize
15:10 – Preparing for the Global Finals in China
17:00 – Competing globally and lessons learned
19:30 – What Africa can learn from global innovation experiences
21:30 – Challenges: balancing school, innovation, and limited resources
23:00 – What they’d do differently next time
25:00 – Message to young innovators: “There’s no small idea”
26:30 – What’s next: scaling, smart city integration, and partnerships
28:00 – Gratitude to Egerton University & Huawei for their support
30:00 – Closing remarks: innovation, impact, and what’s coming next

Concept & Executive Producer: Caleb Baraka Koyo
Camera & Editing: Kevin Kimani
Graphics & Design: Abade Wallace

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About On Air With Caleb Koyo

Growing up in Homa Bay, Caleb Baraka Koyo was always inspired by stories. From a young age, he developed a deep love for newspapers and storytelling, which led him to start writing early on. That passion grew into something bigger when he joined Egerton Radio, and later Hero FM Nakuru, experiences that shaped his voice and direction as a storyteller.

Over the years, Caleb has worked across borders and platforms, reporting for EFM Tanzania, Radio Yetu Nakuru, and currently Crown FM Tanzania. He is the founder of CoELIB Radio, an internet radio station hosted by CoELIB, and also corresponds with AUK Radio in the United Kingdom.

On Air with Caleb Koyo is his next chapter, a platform to pass the mic, create space, and give airtime to youth who are driving change. Whether through startups, art, advocacy, or storytelling, these are the voices reshaping Africa’s present and future. The show is a personal commitment to make sure those voices are heard, seen, and celebrated.