In a Nairobi-based innovation hub, a pioneering startup is bridging communication gaps for Kenya’s deaf community through advanced AI technology. Signvrse, founded in 2023, has developed Terp 360—the continent’s first AI-driven platform that converts spoken and written words into Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) using lifelike, motion-captured avatars. Recently awarded the Kenya Presidential Innovation Award, the company captures the nuanced movements of human interpreters—tracking gestures, hand rotations, and facial expressions—to create fluid digital avatars that replicate natural signing.
“We envision this as a Google Translate for sign language,” said Elly Savatia, the 24-year-old CEO and founder, emphasizing the platform’s ability to process text and speech inputs into real-time KSL outputs. Designed to address persistent barriers in healthcare, employment, and public services, the tool has already attracted 2,000 users to its web interface. For individuals like Kelvin Munene, a deaf waiter in Nairobi, such innovations could transform daily interactions. “Job searches and hospital visits were full of challenges,” Munene shared. “This technology might finally make communication smoother.”
Yet limitations remain. The app currently only translates English to KSL, excluding Swahili—Kenya’s widely spoken national language—a gap Munene hopes will be addressed. Leakey Nyabaro, founder of the Galaxy Sign Language Training Centre, acknowledges the platform’s potential but notes its imperfections. “While the sign-to-voice feature aids hearing individuals, accuracy issues still hinder deeper utility for deaf users,” he observed.
Undeterred, Savatia revealed plans to launch a mobile version by December 2025, with ambitions to expand into a subscription model for personal and commercial use. The goal, she explained, is to scale accessibility for Kenya’s estimated 600,000 deaf individuals and beyond. While the technology is a milestone, experts stress the need for ongoing refinement to ensure inclusivity. For now, Terp 360 represents a critical step toward dismantling communication barriers—one digitally rendered sign at a time.
