Sustainable Sisal: Agricultural Engineering & Entrepreneurship in Kenya

Agricultural engineer and entrepreneur Alex Odundo, founder of Olex Technology Enterprises, will share his inspiring journey as an innovator and community leader in Kisumu, Kenya. Alex developed groundbreaking machinery, including a sisal decorticating machine and a sisal twining machine, which have empowered local farmers and producers to thrive in the face of climate change. Join us to hear how his innovations are making a significant impact in the agricultural sector.

Alex Odundo is a distinguished entrepreneur and innovator, known for founding SIFA Machinery LTD. and Olex Technology Enterprises. His dynamic leadership also led to the establishment of Lake Basin Agrotech LTD., the Kisumu Innovators Association Group, and the South Nyanza Sisal Association Forum. Alex's contributions extend into academia, where he has co-authored a paper on plant-based sanitary pads with the Prakash Lab at BioEngineering. His collaborative efforts with Kenya's Ministry of Science and Technology, the Sisal Board, and the Ministries of Agriculture and Labor have significantly advanced agricultural and waste management tools. Alex's academic background includes training in mechanical engineering production at Kisumu Polytechnic and engineering fabrication and design at TechShop San Francisco. His innovative work earned him recognition as a TED Fellow in 2012.

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Event sponsored by Fiber Optics Stanford Humanities Center Research Workshop, Prakash Lab (BioEngineering), and the Department of African and African American Studies.