As mobile application competitions Pivot 25, Garage48, AppCircus and IPO 48 demonstrated last year, Kenya is fast becoming “app country”. We are chock full of innovative minds, coming up with ingenious solutions to everyday problems. If the techies are not converting ideas into code at iHub, NaiLab or iLab Africa, they’re uploading them onto global app stores or on the newly-launched HewaniLife.

Launched in December 2011 by Virtual City, the latter is expected to bring together thousands of local-application developers. Interestingly, aside from making available apps that can work on Android and iPhone platforms, they shallalso feature those that are SMS based. So, what are the coolest apps you should have on your phone? Here are a few worth checking out.

Olaleshe

Price: Free

App Store: Google Android Market There are few things that come close to the paralyzing fear experienced when one realizes a friend or loved one has gone missing. Yet imagine the fear the individual in question experiences, in turn. Here’s an app that could help both parties. Developed by Capefield, (“brother” in Maasai) is a geo-alert SOS application that enables users to send a message with a link to their location to the emergency contacts in their phone book.Available on Android phones, the app (once downloaded) features a single-click widget button, located on the home screen for quick access.

NikoHapa

Price: Free

App Store: Google Android Market Love using FourSquare? Then, you’ll love NikoHapa application (“I’m here” in Swahili). It allows users to receive rewards for visiting places around Nairobi that have partnered with NikoHapa, allowing check-in via the app or through SMS. How does it work? Once a customer arrives at a venue, he/she scans a QR code available on site, or sends an SMS with short code to 6775. These check-ins then pop up on the NikoHapa website, announcing the user’s arrival.

With enough check-ins to a specific place, a user can then receive various discounts or rewards such as a free cup of coffee.

Payuka

Price: Free

App Store: Google Android Market Kenyans love their football. No doubt about it. A group of guys (or gals) flocking to the pub or at a local stadium to cheer on their favorite team is a common occurrence. Tandaza Technologies Limited’s Payuka slang for “talk excitedly”) was developed to connect football fans through social-media platforms. Synched live with over 70 top flight league and tournament matches worldwide, Payuka has the ability to connect using Facebook or Twitter accounts. It then accesses a live commentary feed. Payuka is a footie fan’s nirvana. It also allows a user to check out past match stats and scores. A “Payuka AfCON” version was developed for the 2012 African Cup of Nations.

MedAfrica

Price: Free

App Store: Nokia Ovi Store and Google Android Market Sometimes, Google-ing the location of a medical facility will not yield the most accurate results. And because carrying around health pamphlets from different medical facilities can be a bit of a drag, an app like MedAfrica is pretty handy. The app is a platform for patients to communicate with doctors from various fields.

Through the app, users can also locate nearby hospitals, find out what drugs are available, access a diet guide, enter their

symptoms, and much more.