Women + Tech = Greatness: Dorcas Muthoni

Photo Copyright: Wikimedia Commons

How would you take on being the founder of a company that develops open-source software for governments in Africa? All 54 states?

Before you respond, we’d like to take you into the world of numbers. Simultaneous equations, complex calculations… and a lot of mathematics. The kind of stuff Dorcas Muthoni proudly claims is her forte.

Back in high school, if her head wasn’t buried in one of her Mathematics books, she was above a calculator in a Physics lab, doing what girls who love science do – discovering, learning, broadening her mental sphere.

After secondary school, Dorcas had a clear picture of what she wanted to do. She made her way to The University of Nairobi to inquire on Architecture. When she was informed that the course took six years, she let go of her dream of being an architect and looked into her other options. She loved Maths, but she also enjoyed physical science. So, what would cater to this proclivity? Computer Science! Duration of course? Four years – fair enough. That and the fact that she’d always considered the idea of engaging in software development sealed the deal. She enrolled and started her career journey.

Over the four years on campus, Dorcas didn’t just learn the book knowledge, she learnt to work on her ideas, be creative about them and most importantly, present them publicly. Dorcas graduated in 2002, with a BSc degree in Computer Science and dove straight into the working world. Her first job was with Kenya Educational Network where she was the Head of Technical Operations. As one of her first tasks, she was requested to put together a presentation on open software during Telecommunications Day. She was 24 at the time but remained optimistic about her presentation – in the form of a proposal. She worked with an aim – to create awareness about the software options people had, after seeing the difficulty in budgeting for software. The end result? A standing ovation from her audience, most of whom were men twice her age, and Dorcas saw this as an opportunity to launch her own idea. With that, Openworld (now OpenBusiness)– a regional e-Government and business technology solutions company, was formed in 2004.

Her business began steadily, clients were coming in and things were looking good but there was one slight problem. None of the university students seeking internships at her firm were female. When Dorcas eventually received a letter of request from a recent female Computer Science graduate, she decided to mentor the budding technologist. It was during this process that she realised how few the women in tech actually were. Why? She wasn’t sure but the revelation disturbed her and she sought answers from her peers in different industries.

Dorcas learnt that the lack of a mentor in the field made most girls shy away from the tech world. In their eyes, it was a man’s world. So Dorcas set out to find women in tech – particularly those willing to share their journeys with high school girls. The aim? To encourage them and show them that this industry had room for women. In 2007, Dorcas founded AfChix – a mentoring and capacity building initiative for women. The initiative sought to engage with more women in tech on the continent and continues to mentor young girls interested in joining or learning about the tech industry.

Her commitment to OpenWorld remained steady and in 2006, the company was recognized as one of Kenya’s best Open-Source Software Solution Providers.

In 2008, Dorcas Muthoni was honoured as a Change Agent by the Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology – AnitaB.org. The following year she was recognised as a Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society Rising Talent and in 2013, The World Economic Forum selected her to be a Young Global Leader, part of a diverse panel of leaders from around the world under the age of 40.

Dorcas Muthoni is #KeExcellence and everything it stands for. We celebrate her journey as a leader and as a Kenyan female computer scientist who has reminded us that women can and have pioneered change.

Photo Copyright: El Pais