“Disrupt or be disrupted.”

This phrase is not just a mantra for Alex Mathenge Kimondo, it is a way of life. With more than 16 years of experience in solutions architecture, digital transformation, and aligning ICT with business strategy, Alex has been on the front lines of Africa’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Amid his demanding career, frequent business travel, and leadership responsibilities in the health sector, Alex chose to dive back into the classroom, this time at Strathmore University, enrolling in the Master of Science in Information Technology (MSc.IT) program.

After graduating from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and completing further studies at the University of Nairobi, Alex sought something different. He was drawn to the “Strathmore experience”.

“I have always aspired to gain expertise at Strathmore University, drawn by its exceptional commitment to excellence and student-focused approach,” he shares.

Balancing work and study was not easy. The MSc.IT program demanded commitment, consistency, and academic rigor, especially with stringent eligibility criteria for final exams.

However, several factors made his journey rewarding. The hybrid class delivery model, the unwavering support from lecturers, and the camaraderie among his classmates. “These elements have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of work-life balance while pursuing my upskilling goals at Strathmore.”

Among all the courses he encountered, Data Analytics and Visualization made the deepest impact. Its practical relevance to his work in the health sector was immediate and powerful.

“The course was well-structured and hands-on. It helped me connect theoretical principles with real-world problems, especially in public health and hospital operations where data is key,” he says.

The coursework dovetailed perfectly with his other units, particularly Machine Learning and Natural Language Processing.

That blend of technical insight and practical relevance came to life in his capstone project, an AI-powered Assistant for Counselling Alcoholics, tailored to Kikuyu speakers in Kenya. Built with cultural sensitivity and multilingual support in mind, the chatbot offers localized, language-specific counselling support. It also integrates Swahili as a secondary interface, making it accessible to a broader demographic.

Alex’s professional portfolio is as impressive as his academic achievements. With over a decade in IT management and systems design, he is no stranger to software development (Python, R, PHP, SQL), enterprise systems (SAP, SYSPRO), and cloud solutions (Microsoft Azure). But the MSc.IT program gave his skillset new depth and sharper strategic focus.

He credits the program for enhancing his ability to design complex digital solutions that are secure, scalable, and impactful. His approach to solutions architecture has matured, now marked by deeper awareness of risk management, user experience, and stakeholder alignment.

“The skill learnt will help me excel at fostering team collaboration to deliver scalable, secure, and efficient solutions that drive operational excellence and competitive advantage.”

Technical know-how can only take you so far. Through group projects, presentations, and his research thesis, Alex developed critical soft skills, many of which are now central to his professional toolkit.

From mastering time management while juggling multiple projects to enhancing his persuasion and emotional intelligence during stakeholder presentations, the journey sharpened him in unexpected ways.

He’s especially proud of how the research process refined his attention to detail and information literacy, skills that are invaluable in today’s data-driven business environment.

His next chapter includes deepening his impact at work, particularly through digital transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in the health sector. He’s also keen to expand into consultancy, offering his wealth of experience to organizations looking to unlock value through IT strategy and innovation.

“I am eager to make a greater impact at my workplace while continuing to excel in my leadership roles. More significantly, I plan to expand into IT consultancy, leveraging my expertise in information systems and technology, and aim to pursue a PhD in the same field to further deepen my knowledge and contributions,” says Alex.

Article written by David Kimathi.