When Dorothy first walked into a hackathon at Lakehub in 2021, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. Invited by her sister and a close friend, Kimberly, Dorothy was simply curious. But that one decision, to show up, would become the spark that lit up her tech journey.
At the hackathon, she witnessed something powerful for the first time, which would also inspire her: students from Maseno University teaming up to tackle real-world problems through technology. It wasn’t just coding – it was innovation in action.
“ That experience ignited something in me,” she recalls. “I saw how technology could be used to make a difference, and I knew I wanted to be part of that world – a space where innovation meets impact.”
Motivated by the energy around her, Dorothy took a bold step and presented her very first prototype, Girl Up – an idea close to her heart that aimed to support and empower young girls.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Like many young people starting out, Dorothy faced one big internal challenge: self-doubt. Being surrounded by more experienced developers made her question her abilities and whether she truly belonged in the field of tech.
“I had to overcome the fear of not being ‘good enough’. But I learned that you don’t need to have all the answers to get started. You just need to be willing to learn.”
She found strength in staying curious, asking questions, and surrounding herself with supportive mentors and peers. Small wins, like completing a task or grasping a new concept, gradually built her confidence.
From Learner to Leader
Today, Dorothy is a Software Developer at JAY4T, where she brings her ideas to life through digital tools that empower youth and communities.
What keeps her going? The power of Impact
“I know how life-changing it can be to have someone believe in you or introduce you to new opportunities, just like my sister and Kimberly did for me. Being able to give that same spark to others, especially young people who are just discovering their potential, drives me every day. Seeing their growth, curiosity, and confidence reminds me why it matters.”
Dorothy’s Advice to Young People
“Don’t be afraid to start. Stay curious, ask for help, and surround yourself with people who uplift you. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s – just trust your pace. Progress is still progress, no matter how small.”
First Project:
Girl Up – A prototype app for empowering young girls.
Portfolio & GitHub
Portfolio Website: dorothy-akoth.netlify.app
GitHub Profile: github.com/Dorothy2020
Project Experience
- Partners for Girls Africa Foundation – Website Redesign
Live Site: pfgaforg.netlify.app
GitHub Repo: partnersforgirlsdesign - Brainverse Technologies – Internship (2023)
Contributed to the Uniport Loans Platform alongside Jessica Maina and Brian Nyagol.
Project URL: portal.uniportloans.co.ke - MMI Company – Full-time Developer (Nov 2023 – Feb 2025)
Helped develop the MMI company website.
Live Site: mmi.co.ke
Note: Domains were changed and repositories are private. Created user manual documentation for the BuildWise construction system, built using PHP and MySQL.
User Manual: View Document
Technical Documentation: View Technical Doc - JAY4T – Software Developer
Currently working on two products:
- Kaakazini, a full-stack application empowering craftsmen to manage projects, clients, and portfolios.
Technologies: React.js, REST APIs
GitHub Repo: kaakazini
Live Site: staging.kaakazini.com - LigiOpen – a platform that promotes grassroots football in Kenya.
Involved in project planning, code structure design, and stack selection
GitHub Repo: ligiopen
Live Site: ligiopen.com