Kenyan Entrepreneur Tells CNN ‘African Start-Up’ About His Life-Saving Invention

Maneuvering on the road can be a dangerous challenge, especially for motorcyclists. CNN African Start-Up talks to Charles Muchene about how the dangers of riding motorcycles in busy traffic sparked the idea for his business, Clad Light Limited.

Clad Light Limited makes motorcycle apparel that lights up riders on their motorbikes. “After I cleared my campus life, I ventured into robotics and electronics. So one time I thought of putting lights on my (bike) jacket and then towards the end of 2013, I heard of the NaiLab, a business incubator that offers 6 months incubation for start ups, so I applied and after I pitched my idea, they thought it could be a viable business idea based on the increased number of accidents,” Muchene tells CNN African Start-Up.

After 6 months of product development and business training, Clad Light’s first invention was born. “Our first product is the SMART JACKET. It’s a vest for increasing the visibility of motorcyclists on the road. We put lights on that vest and the lights are controlled remotely, so they indicate clearly the intent to turn right, left or break when you are riding your motorcycle,” comments Muchene.

Despite an initial positive response, Muchene has yet to sell a Smart Jacket, but his plan is to collaborate with a range of sectors, making them available to a broad audience base.

For more on Clad Light Limited, don’t miss African Start-Up’, Wednesday 1 October on ‘Connect the World’ at 1800 on CNN International.

Website www.cnn.com/africanstartup