By Wanja Waweru
Inventor Keylie Muthoni, 24, claims that since winning Sh130 million, she has lost acquaintances. The quartet team that won the 2022 Hult Prize challenge and took home $1 million included a fourth-year mass communication student at St. Paul’s University.
She received the cash prize along with her coworkers Lennox Omondi, Shiltone Ogutu Dullah, and Brian Ndung’u for their innovative business ideas.
The group received the money in September of last year in New York at a ceremony that former US president Bill Clinton and other dignitaries attended.
The four St. Paul University media majors created innovative biodegradable sanitary napkins using banana fiber.
“Can you imagine, I have lost a couple of friends? Not even friends, even some family members are no longer warm towards me. They think I am being mean whenever they approach me with their money problems and I tell them I am not in a position to assist them,” Keylie said.
Nevertheless, Keylie says she has grown a tough skin. She clarifies that despite winning the money, there are stringent measures in regard to the fund’s usage.
