KiproGames launches Kenyan version of popular children’s game

This CNN Hero upcycles old computers to open new worlds for young Kenyans.

Kenyan children’s game app brings the local experience of ‘Mzuzungu’ to life

A Kenyan version of the popular “Mzuzungu game,” where players are asked to collect words from a computerized card board game, has launched on Google Play.

KiproGames said its app will help to build local pride and show appreciation for achievements in education and health from the age of 5 to 16.

KiproGames, the brains behind Mzuzungu, said it was inspired by the popular local children’s game, developed in the early 1970s.

“We wanted to bring these classic games to life and make them accessible to as many children as possible,” said Nzega Kiprono, the company’s country managing director, in a statement.

But the games are not just for kids. Kiprono said it will have features for school classes, parents and even the entire family.

“The biggest challenge was in finding a way to bring together the culture and the local experience of ‘Mzuzungu’ into a game that could be played by children and grown-ups at the same time.”

A prototype of the game was recently used to host a one-day hackathon in Nairobi, where the team worked with a group of talented developers from around the world on how to build an app for Android and iOS devices.

“The prototype app was built from scratch and a lot of love was poured into it,” said Kiprono.

“Our team has put a lot of love and effort into this,” he added. “Our goal is to help create the next generation of Kenyans.”

Mzuzungu is a children’s game invented in the 1970s and now one of the most played games in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya where it is called “Mzuzungu,” meaning “to go to school.”

The game involves children collecting words from a computerized card board game. The goal is to build a word chain by collecting the most letters of the alphabet by solving arithmetic problems on the card board.

Mighty Mzuzungu by ZAAP

The game is played by both adults and

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