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Wednesday, July 5, 2023 -Young Kenyan entrepreneur Richard Turere has bagged a cash prize of Sterling Pounds 20,000 an equivalents of sh 3 million.
The Kenyan young man managed to beat two of his competitors under the innovation category in the contest orgainsed by European Potent Office EPO.
He was awarded for innovating Lion Lights which he claims scares away lions from attacking livestock having been raised in Kajiado, Kitengela in particular, where livestock is every household’s wealth.
On the other hand, Filipa de Sousa Rocha (Portuguese), and third Fionn Ferreira (Ireland), candidates were awarded sh 1.5 million (€10 000) and sh 766,800 (€5 000) respectively.
The award given to Turere, who was among the shortlisted candidates in the 30 under 30 category, regonises the initiative and creativity of young people around the world.
“The innovation shown by this year’s winners, in the face of the modern world’s many shared challenges, such as sustainability, the energy transition, and social inequality, is a source of inspiration. Through the European Inventor Award, the European Patent Office celebrates their work and the progress it represents,” stated EPO President António Campinos.
Defending his innovation, Turere who grew up up looking after the family cattle at nine years old, observed that the lions refrained from approaching whenever a flashlight was switched on, inspiring his idea.
He would first experiment with various materials which included LED lights. Then place the light about 15 meters away from the cattle to help scare/trick the preying lions.
This success, saw him, in 2013, establish the Lion Lights organization, extending its distribution to other areas plagued by frequent lion attacks.
At the age of only 13, Turere appeared on TED Talks to share his idea; what saw him win a scholarship at the Brookhouse School.
And today, his invention regarded as fastest growing, is being adopted in Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, Argentina, and India.
