A platform for crowdsourcing and crisis response
Ushahidi
From
Kenya
Sector
Crowdsourcing
Timeframe
1 Year
Service
User Research, Design System, UX Design
Ushahidi (which means “testimony” in Swahili) was originally created in 2008 to track post-election violence in Kenya. Since then, it has evolved into a powerful tool for collecting and mapping real-time data from SMS, email, social media, and web forms. The platform enables civic organizations, activists, and government bodies to quickly respond to unfolding events by providing transparency and encouraging public participation
Over time, Ushahidi’s interface had become outdated, making it increasingly difficult for users to navigate the platform efficiently. The user experience suffered from unclear structure, and the process of submitting reports was unintuitive.
Additionally, the lack of a dedicated mobile app limited accessibility for users in regions where mobile is the primary—or only—means of internet access.
Additionally, the lack of a dedicated mobile app limited accessibility for users in regions where mobile is the primary—or only—means of internet access.
Challange
A complete redesign of the Ushahidi web platform was carried out, with a focus on a modern, intuitive UX/UI. Key improvements included simplified navigation, clearer visual hierarchy, and a streamlined reporting process.
In parallel, a mobile application was developed from scratch, giving users the ability to create and view posts easily—even on low-bandwidth networks or lower-end devices.
In parallel, a mobile application was developed from scratch, giving users the ability to create and view posts easily—even on low-bandwidth networks or lower-end devices.
Solution
The redesign and mobile app development significantly improved the usability and accessibility of Ushahidi. Publishing and interacting with data became easier and more efficient across devices. This project highlights the importance of designing for context—especially in environments where technical constraints and urgent needs shape how technology is used.
