Harry Owino once loved video games—now he’s building the web behind them

*Harry Owino at FCA’s Creative Industries Hub in Jericho, Nairobi, working on a web design project during his training.* ***Photo: Macie Mambo/FCA***

When Harry Owino first got his hands on a computer in 2007, he was just a boy in Nairobi fascinated by video games like Road Rash and Virtual Cop. But while other kids were racing bikes, Harry was asking a different question:

“How are these games even made?”

That simple curiosity led him into the world of tech—and eventually shaped his career.

Harry’s tech journey began when his father brought home a computer, hoping it would help with schoolwork. But Harry saw more than just a machine.

“I wasn’t just playing games,” Harry recalls. “I was trying to figure out how they worked behind the scenes.”

His curiosity led him to pursue multimedia at the Africa Digital Media Institute, followed by a certificate and diploma in computer science at St. Paul’s University. Even though he once struggled with math, Harry discovered that the tech world had space for creativity, too.

Skills That Open Doors

*Harry Owino at FCA’s Creative Industries Hub in Jericho, Nairobi*. ***Photo: Macie Mambo/FCA***

In 2024, Harry joined the Enhanced Digital Skills Program by FCA Kenya, funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and hosted at Jericho’s Creative Hub. The training is part of FCA’s Creative Industries Programme, which is free of charge and specifically designed for low-income youth from areas such as Dandora, Korogocho, Jericho, Umoja, and Kayole.

“Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have had the chance to study web development at all,” Harry says. “This program changed everything for me.”

The program trains young people to become graphic designers, animators, digital marketers, and web developers, helping them gain the skills needed for future job markets. By the end of 2023, 62% of participants had secured paid work—74% of them within just six months of joining.

Harry specialised in Web Design and Development, expanding his skills into mobile app development using Flutter and Android Studio, and finally making peace with PHP, a programming language he once dreaded. With the guidance of trainers, Harry was able to overcome those challenges.

“I used to get stuck watching endless tutorials,” he says. “This course helped me shift from just learning to actually building things.”

After completing the program, Harry landed an internship with FinTech Group Kenya, where he helped redesign the website for FinFinancials, a platform that supports financial service organisations.

“That internship showed me I could actually apply what I’d learned to solve real problems,” he says.

Since then, he’s worked on freelance projects for clients like Lewis Huxley, an animation creator, and Jenge Kulture, a local creative collective. These wins have helped him build both a portfolio and confidence.

Harry knows the tech world is competitive—and fast-changing. But he’s not afraid.

“There are senior developers out there, and AI is getting smarter every day. But I don’t let that discourage me. I stay focused on my own journey.”

Now, Harry is working as a freelance developer while saving money to fund a bigger dream: starting his own mobile game and app development studio in Kenya. His goal is to build a business that not only supports his career but also creates jobs for other young tech creatives.

In five to ten years, he hopes to be running a successful company and mentoring new developers.

“I want to show others that you don’t have to come from a wealthy background to succeed in tech,” he says. “You just have to keep learning, stay curious, and believe in your path.”

Harry encourages other young people interested in tech to take their time, trust the process, and stay consistent.

“Don’t chase every trend. Do what you understand, and do it well,” he says. “Your work will speak for itself.”

Text: Macie Mambo, Edited by:Daisy Obare