Over the last week Fred Akwando, Spencer Ochieng, Hillary Kiptoo, Merl Ayienga, and Sharon Jebitok another couple of guys started teaming up to run a Twitter space that mostly targets the Kenyan tech ecosystem. The Twitter space is held every Thursday from 7:30 pm Kenyan time. We have been lucky to have over 30 consistent attendees and contributors.

Over the weekly space events we’ve been able to majorly talk about:

Different Paths in Tech

• different tech paths that beginners can focus on from software development to Design:
  • Web Development(HTML, CSS and Javascript)
  • Fullstack Software (Front-end and Backend with Javascript, Python, Rust, Golang, PHP, or .NET)
  • Mobile Development: Java, Kotlin, Flutter, React-Native, JetCompose
  • Data Science with Python
  • Product Design(UI/UX design with Figma or Adobe XD), Brand Design, UX Writing/Research
  • [Cloud Computing](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/what-is-cloud-computing/#:~:text=Simply put%2C cloud computing is,resources%2C and economies of scale.)
  • DevOps: Azure, AWS
  • AI & Machine Learning: Python Machine Learning, AI & ML for Developers, ML Crash Course
  • Product Management
  • Project Management
  • Technical Writing
  • Developer Advocacy
  • Smart Contract Development with Solidity: solidity by example

Affordable Coding Schools, Sites, and Courses

different means of affordable learning from self-taught learning to Bootcamp training:

Bootcamp training with Kenya

• Moringa
• Lakehub
• Ubunifu
• Lux Academy
• Akira Chix
• Kamilimu Mentorship Program
• EldoHub

Free/Paid to learn sites site

• W3Schools
• freecodecamp
• the Odin project
• Zuri Training x Ingressive4Good programs
• Coursera
• Youtube Channels like those of Traversy Media, Mosh Hemadani, NetNinja
• Udemy courses like that of Angela Yu
• microverse
• ALX Africa
• ALT Africa
• Design Pal

Speakers

• we have been able to have a lot of speakers who are in different areas of tech come and talk about what they do and what beginners in the given field can do to grow their tech career. Everyone who attends the twitter space is open to contributing to the topic of the week or asking questions to speakers.
• The aim of the space is to give everyone a chance on their tech journey with others and for everyone to have a common ground for handling imposter syndrome and burnout they might encounter while building or learning in their tech journey.

Communities

We have majorly spoken about communities:

• that individuals can join like:
  • Google developer Group(GDG): you can find one near your regions in Kenya and university especially if you’re still a student you can ask if there’s one in your university
  • Github Student Developer Pack you can sign up to qualify for a number of courses or access to some sites that are helpful to you as a student developer
  • SheCodeAfrica
  • CodeFirstGirls
• to community builders’ their roles in given communities and the benefits they’ve gotten out of running communities like networking and landing roles
• challenges beginners encounter that can be impacted by communities
• challenges faced by the present communities

Latest Update and Trends

spoken about the current affairs in the tech ecosystem in Kenya that will impact us as people in the tech space from software engineers, project/product managers, UI/UX designers, and companies actively hiring this kind of talent

• especially the good thing coming to Kenyan space like:
  • Google is hiring for their product development center in Africa (Kenya)
  • Amazon is set to launch an AWS Local Zone in Kenya
  • Visa opens its first innovation hub in Africa to drive product development
  • Microsoft opens the first Africa Development Center in Kenya and Nigeria
• the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development(KICD) approves a new coding syllabus for schools
• Google enters deal to train software developers through TVET institutions
• the Kenyan government enacts tax policies for digital services/Digital Economy and its impact on us as talent in the tech space

Thank you for reading through our first article in regards to our #SpaceYaTechKE we’ll be documenting our spaces and what is discussed in the coming weeks so that we can benefit fully from it as a community and continue impacting each other as techies in the Kenyan tech space. You can follow us on Twitter or send a request via DM to speak in our upcoming Twitter space or suggest a topic that can be discussed. Also, help us Invite more people to our space.