Nyota Machine: A near-future coming-of-age about code, care, and who gets to decide the future.

Description

In the bustling heart of near-future Nairobi, seventeen-year-old Zuri Mwangi spends her nights repairing broken phones and writing code on borrowed devices. Her dream is simple: to build technology that serves her community, not the corporations that profit from it. When a new artificial intelligence system called Nyota is launched to manage patient care across local clinics, Zuri finally sees hope for a better, fairer future.

But soon, strange patterns begin to appear in the data — patients from informal settlements mysteriously vanish from Nyota’s priority lists, and one life-and-death decision leaves a family shattered. As Zuri digs deeper, she uncovers a chilling truth: the algorithm’s “efficiency” hides something far more dangerous — bias coded into compassion itself.

To expose the truth, Zuri must infiltrate the powerful tech conglomerate GlobalHealth Systems (GHS), whose polished CEO promises innovation but conceals exploitation. With the help of her fearless friend Sifa, her devoted mentor Dr. Amina Kilonzo, and her ailing younger brother Kito, Zuri races against time to rewrite the code before Nyota’s next decision decides who lives — and who is left behind.

Nyota Machine is a gripping young adult science fiction novel blending African futurism, ethical AI, and a deeply human coming-of-age story. Rooted in Kenya’s vibrant cultures and driven by the moral dilemmas of tomorrow, it asks one urgent question:

When the machine decides, who counts?

What Readers Will Find Inside

• A fast-paced, character-driven sci-fi narrative set in East Africa’s near future.
• An exploration of artificial intelligence, healthcare equity, and digital colonialism told through a relatable teenage protagonist.
• A mix of thriller, coming-of-age, and social commentary, ideal for both YA and adult readers.
• Vivid portrayals of Nairobi’s innovation hubs, clinics, matatus, and informal settlements, bringing a unique African voice to global science fiction.
• Inspiring themes of courage, ethics, and resilience that encourage readers to think critically about technology and humanity.

Perfect For Readers Who Enjoy:

• The Hunger Games — for its rebellion and youth courage.
• The Matrix — for its man-vs-machine moral tension.
• Black Panther and Nnedi Okorafor’s Binti — for their African futurist worlds and visionary heroines.
• Thought-provoking sci-fi grounded in real social and ethical dilemmas.