Naema Celestine 
Emmanuel Juma
In Kuywa market of Kabuchai constituency Bungoma County, we meet the renowned inventor, Mzee Godwin Walela, an alumnus of Eldoret National Polytechnic, who has designed a three-wheeled motorcycle.
He shares the story behind his creation of this motorcycle, which has a unique reverse gear. Mzee Walela explains that he had dreamt of building such a machine since his childhood, despite facing challenges such as lack of proper tools and equipment to bring his vision to life.
This motorcycle is specially designed to navigate rough, muddy roads, with a top speed of 80 kilometers per hour. It’s a practical innovation for rural areas where roads can be difficult to access.
However, Walela has faced several challenges in his journey as an inventor. One of the main obstacles is the high cost of materials and the lack of affordable tools necessary for his work. He also points out that the government has not paid enough attention to supporting individuals with the ability to create machines like his, which benefit the community at large.
His appeal to the government is to find ways to reach out to such talented individuals, especially the youth, who often lack the support needed to turn their ideas into reality. He believes that with the right backing, many more inventions could emerge to solve everyday problems in society.
Mzee Walela’s advice to young people is to focus on pursuing their passions, particularly projects that can help them become self-reliant. He praises the current education system in Kenya, stating that it helps talented youth to shine and excel in their chosen fields.
Apart from his three-wheeled motorcycle, Mzee Walela has also invented other useful devices, including a solar power system that provides electricity for his home. His background in mechanical engineering, having earned a certificate from Eldoret National Polytechnic, along with his skills in radio and television repair, has allowed him to craft numerous innovations over the years.
