Kenyan IT expert working to make single ladies lives easier through house repairs

Single parenting is on the rise in Kenya, and an innovator helping single ladies handle repairs in the absence of men.

Douglas Mawata, a Kenyan IT specialist, has tapped into his skills to create a mobile app inspired by the needs of single women and mothers.

Speaking to Mpasho, Mawata said he got the light bulb moment to create the Standy Fix app after a friend shared her predicament.

“Whenever she needed a bulb changed or anything fixed around the house, she had to call her baby daddy, a situation which was not ideal,” he noted. 

Mawata decided to solve the problem for his friend and many other Kenyan women.

“Clients can order a wide variety of services through the app, and we send trained technicians to cater for their needs,” he added. 

The innovator noted that he sought to solve another problem- fundis inflating prices for their services.

“When a single mother requests a service, they send an image of the problem, and we quote the cost beforehand- it can be as low as Sh 300. This eliminates instances of being overcharged.”

Mawata, whose platform has around 5,000 qualified technicians, said his platform also ensures efficient service delivery and client security.

“Our technicians wear uniforms and customers can confirm their identity through the app.

Once at the site, they must share an image of the work via the platform before starting their task and also share pictures confirming the job is done.”

Another niche market for Mawata is Kenyan apartment owners based abroad.

“Unscrupulous fundis often take advantage of Kenyans in the diaspora by doing shoddy work or failing to keep their end of the bargain. We aim to provide dependable and quality services for them.”

Mawata has partnered with Technical Vocational Education and Training institutes to offer employment to youths and ensure that the fundis are qualified.

The entrepreneur, who gives back by offering free services to churches and special schools, encouraged young people to attain technical skills.

“The repair and maintenance industry is wide, but you must be innovative to market yourself and create a brand. Chances of getting a job with technical skills are very high,” he said.