In the heart of Kibera, where resilience and creativity flourish amid the daily hustle, a quiet revolution is underway. Renice Otieno, the founder of Code with Kids, is transforming the future of children from underserved communities by equipping them with the skills to navigate and thrive in the digital world.
Renice’s mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the digital divide and ensure that children, regardless of their background, have access to the opportunities that technology offers. What began as a passion project has now grown into a movement that’s empowering hundreds of young minds across Nairobi and beyond.
A Dream Born from experience
The journey of founding Code with Kids is as inspiring as the impact she’s making. Renice’s decision to start Coe with Kids was deeply influenced by her upbringing and personal struggles. She grew up in a challenging environment where access to quality education and digital resources was limited. Coming from a background where technology was a privilege rather than a right, she saw firsthand how children in underserved communities were often left behind in the digital revolution.
Her inspiration to start this program emanated from both her experience and her mother’s resilience. Renice’s mother was a strong pillar in her life, constantly pushing her to pursue education despite the hardships they faced. However, it is not just her mother’s encouragement but also the struggles she witnessed- Children with potential being held back simply due to lack of resources- that fueled her passion for change.
Renice saw how technology could be a game-changer, but only if it was made accessible to everyone. She didn’t wat other kids to go through the struggles she did- feeling left out of a fast-evolving digitral world. This realization drove to creating Code With Kids, ensuring that children, especially ones from marginalized backgrounds could have access to tech education.
While pursuing her own career in coding and digital innovation, she couldn’t ignore the glaring disparities in access to technology education, especially for children in marginalized communities. “I realized that many kids in these communities have dreams as big as mine once were, but they lack the tools to achieve them. I wanted to change that,” Renice shares, her voice filled with conviction.
In 2019, she turned her dream into a reality by launching Code with Kids, an initiative aimed at providing affordable, fun, and engaging digital education to children who need it most.
Learning Beyond the Screen
Code with Kids is not your average tech program. Renice and her team take a holistic approach to teaching coding, ensuring that every child in the program feels seen, heard and supported. The program covers a wide range of topics, from basic computer literacy to advanced coding skills like game design, robotics and web development. But what truly sets it apart from other STEM programs is its emphasis on fostering critical thinking, creativity and confidence. “We don’t just teach coding; we teach kids to believe in themselves. Coding is a tool , but confidence is the foundation,” Renice explains.
Classes are designed to be interactive and fun, with hands on projects that encourage problem solving and team work. The team works closely with local schools and community centers to ensure children have access to com putters, reliable internet, and other resources they might not have at home.
Championing Kids in Tech
One of the most remarkable aspect of Code with Kids is its prior focus on empowering girls to break barriers in the male-dominated tech industry. However, over the years, Renice realized that if they continue empowering girls in the technology industry, it will create a bridge. Now Code With Kids focuses on young learners, eliminating the gender divide, therefore empowering all genders into pursuing STEM.
Renice leads programs specifically tailored to inspire young learners to dream big and embrace technology as a tool for change. Through mentorship programs, role models, and success stories of industry leaders who have excelled in tech competitions, she ensures that they see themselves as creators and innovators.
“Seeing a young girl from Kibera win an international robotic competition reminded me why I do this work. Talent knows no genders or boundaries- It just needs a chance to shine,” she says proudly.
One of Renice’s strategies is intentional representation- she ensures that young learners see role models excelling in tech. By inviting women in STEM as mentors, showcasing female led projects, and sharing her own journey, she helps girls envision themselves in tech careers.
She also actively encourages parents and educators to support girls in tech, emphasizing that early exposure and encouragement are key to changing the narrative. By fostering a supportive community, Renice is shaping a future where learners confidently pursue careers in technology, knowing they belong in the space as much as anyone else.
The Power of Partnership
The driving force at Code with kids has been strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations that believe in the power of digital literacy for children. These collaborations have played a crucial role in not only expanding the program’s reach but also making a lasting impact, as well as providing resources and enhancing the quality of education offered.
Over the years, Code With Kids has partnered with schools, local NGO’s, and tech companies to reach more children and provide sustainable solutions. These partnerships have enabled the program to supply equipment, create tailored curriculum, and organize coding competitions that inspire creativity and healthy competition.
One of the initiative’s notable collaborations involved partnering with a global robots manufacturer called Wellsbot. This company has been a key player in ensuring that our learners receive exceptional training using the games they have manufactured. This puts our learners at nearly the same level as other STEM learners globally.
Through partnerships with local schools and community organizations, Code With Kids has been able to integrate coding and robotics into school curriculums, ensuring that more children-especially in underserved communities- get access to tech literacy. This has not only increased digital literacy, but also sparked an early interest in STEM careers among students who had little to no exposure to such fields.
“We want learners to see that they belong in tech just as much as anyone else. Through our partnerships, we create safe spaces where they can learn, experiment, and build confidence in their abilities,” says Renice.
These partnerships have not only strengthened Code with Kids’ operations but have also amplified its mission, making digital skills more accessible, inclusive, and impactful in shaping the next generation of tech innovators.
A Story of Transformation
Beyond just teaching syntax and programming logic, Code with Kids is shaping a new generation of problem-solvers. The organization ensures that learning is not confined to screens but extends into real-world applications. Students are encouraged to work on projects that address challenges in their communities, giving them hands-on experience in using technology to create impact.
Renice recalls a particular success story that embodies this vision. “One of our students came to us with absolutely no background in coding. But with time, guidance, and hands-on experience, they not only mastered the basics but also developed an app that solves a real problem in their community. Seeing that growth and impact is exactly why we do what we do.” This, she says, is the true reward; watching young minds transform into innovators.
Through workshops, mentorship programs, and interactive coding challenges, Code with Kids provides a learning experience that goes beyond conventional classroom settings. The goal is not just to create coders but to nurture a mindset of creativity and problem-solving, ensuring that children grow with the confidence to shape the future of technology.
Empowering Dreams Beyond Borders
For Renice, the most rewarding moments at Code with Kids go beyond just seeing students learn how to code, they come when she witnesses their growth, confidence, and exposure to opportunities they never imagined possible. One such moment was when a group of students had the chance to travel to China for an international tech competition.
“Taking the kids to China was one of the most fulfilling experiences. Watching them step into a world-class competition, interact with other young tech minds, and realize that they belong in that space—it was priceless. It showed them that their talent can take them places they never dreamed of,” she shares.
This kind of exposure is what Code with Kids strives to provide; bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. By showing these young learners that they are not limited by their backgrounds, Renice ensures they see themselves as part of the global tech movement.
Empowering Dreams Beyond Borders
For Renice, the most rewarding moments at Code with Kids go beyond just seeing students learn how to code—they come when she witnesses their growth, confidence, and exposure to opportunities they never imagined possible. One such moment was when a group of students had the chance to travel to China for an international tech competition.
“Taking the kids to China was one of the most fulfilling experiences. Watching them step into a world-class competition, interact with other young tech minds, and realize that they belong in that space—it was priceless. It showed them that their talent can take them places they never dreamed of,” she shares.
This kind of exposure is what Code with Kids strives to provide; bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. By showing these young learners that they are not limited by their backgrounds, Renice ensures they see themselves as part of the global tech movement.
Through Code with Kids, Renice Otieno is not just teaching children how to code; she is creating a generation of problem-solvers and innovators who see technology as a tool for change. By breaking barriers, fostering confidence, and providing real-world opportunities, she is proving that talent, when nurtured, knows no limits. As more young minds gain access to digital literacy, the future of tech in Kenya—and beyond—looks brighter than ever.
A Day in the Life of Renice
Renice starts her day at 6 a.m., ensuring her son is ready for school before heading to the office by 8 a.m. She begins with morning prayers, affirmations, and a TED Talk podcast to set the tone for the day.
As the founder of Code with Kids, she juggles curriculum development, managerial tasks, and team support. But her true passion lies in teaching. “Once in a while, if I’m overwhelmed, I pick up classes—it’s like my therapy,” she shares. She often drops into sessions unannounced to stay connected with learners.
After work, she picks up her son and unwinds with swimming, cycling, or a game of chess. A literature lover, she enjoys Shakespeare and Chimamanda Adichie, and recently developed a taste for Chinese cuisine. Though dedicated to her work, she jokes that she’s “married to my laptop.”
For Renice, every day is a mix of leadership, learning, and passion- fueling her mission to shape the next generation of tech innovators.
