Juakali was founded by Judith Owigar, a Computer Science graduate, now pursuing an MSc in Computer Science, and president at Akirachix, an initiative getting girls into tech, the site is set to link unskilled workers in the informal sector in Kenya as well as service providers such as construction firms, security companies, individuals among others.
Juakali.co.ke is a job directory and a meeting place for blue collar job workers in the informal sector and construction companies, corporate powers, home owners and later, individuals.
Owigar says Juakali was inspired by her need to do to something for the society and also develop a technology solution using her skills.
The informal workers create an online profile showing their expertise on the platform for free; fill in their employee history for rating and reviews. These profiles are enhanced by recommendations from registered users and examples of work done for clientele. The system now runs on SMS and USSD against its initial web-only form, as most of its target population is mostly offline and staying in informal settlements; most blue collar workers don’t use internet so much.
Juakali launched in February this year, and Owigar hope that in two years, it will be the standard for employment in Kenya’s informal sector.
Photo credit: Fashionghana.com
