Kenyan wins prestigious Amazon Web Services Golden Jacket

Timothy Munyao, an IT Solutions Architect Consultant at Kitsilano Technologies, has made history by becoming the first Kenyan to earn the coveted Amazon Web Services (AWS) Golden Jacket.

The prestigious award recognises individuals who achieve all 12 active AWS certifications, symbolizing excellence in technical expertise, continuous learning, and community contribution within the AWS ecosystem.

The AWS Golden Jacket sets a high standard for cloud professionals, inspiring others to strive for mastery while engaging with the broader AWS community.

It encapsulates three key pillars: technical expertise, community involvement, and lifelong learning.

“My pursuit of all 12 active AWS certifications was driven by a commitment to mastering the full breadth and depth of AWS services,” Munyao, 37, says.

“To design optimal solutions for complex business challenges, I needed not just a surface-level understanding but deep technical expertise across diverse domains, including architecture, development, machine learning, security, and artificial intelligence. Each certification offered a structured opportunity to deepen my knowledge and validate my proficiency, ensuring I could consistently deliver value to customers.”

Munyao described receiving the feat as both a professional milestone and a personal triumph for him.

“Professionally, it signifies the culmination of years of dedication and applying AWS services to solve complex challenges. It validates my role as a thought leader in the cloud space, particularly in mentoring others and driving innovation with AWS technologies,” he explains.

“On a personal level, the Golden Jacket represents hard work, perseverance, and passion. This journey of continuous learning reaffirms that with consistent effort and focus, challenges can be overcome, and ambitious goals achieved.”

Kenya’s vibrant start-up ecosystem and rapid digital transformation have created a growing demand for skilled tech talent.

However, a significant skills gap threatens to slow the country’s progress as a technology hub.

To address this, Munyao emphasizes the importance of upskilling: “Take on challenging projects that push your boundaries. Practical skills outweigh theoretical knowledge—spend time building and testing solutions in the AWS environment. Whether through labs, personal projects, or real-world client work, hands-on practice solidifies learning and enhances problem-solving abilities.”