Benson Kiala

React Native, GraphQL, AWS Lambda, MongoDB

• Built and scaled Yekola, a high-performance social and messaging app with real-time chat, profiles, and media uploads.
• Developed WebSocket-based real-time messaging with AWS Lambda, GraphQL, and MongoDB.
• Integrated push notifications, group video calls, and immersive onboarding to increase retention.
• Led UI/UX enhancements across chat flows, profiles, and navigation.

Responsibilities (React Native / React):

• Architected scalable React Native structure with reusable components and optimized navigation flows.
• Built real-time chat UIs using React Hooks, Redux for state management, and Context API with optimized rendering techniques.
• Integrated GraphQL queries optimized for React Native client performance and efficient data fetching.
• Implemented Expo push notifications, background task handlers, and deep linking to improve user engagement.
• Developed custom component libraries, animations, and cross-platform UI features using React Native Reanimated and Gesture Handler.
• Enhanced React Native performance through memoization, virtualization, and render optimization techniques.

React Native, GraphQL, TypeScript.

• Led development of a modular mobile platform, onboarding over 10,000 users.
• Managed feature delivery, QA, and team performance across multiple product streams.

Responsibilities (React Native / React):

• Led React and React Native teams to improve architecture consistency, developer workflows, and code quality.
• Introduced GraphQL query patterns and caching strategies optimized for mobile client responsiveness.
• Architected modular, reusable UI systems and navigation flows in React Native and React for maintainability and scalability.
• Migrated React Native and React codebases from JavaScript to TypeScript for improved type safety.
• Designed and maintained CI/CD pipelines automating React Native build and deployment processes.

React, Redux, TypeScript

• Spearheaded the redesign of the main company platform using React and Redux, leading to a 50% increase in user engagement.
• Collaborated with the backend team to optimize RESTful API consumption, ensuring efficient and fast data retrieval.
• Mentored junior developers, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing, and promoting best practices. Played a key role in the transition to TypeScript, enforcing type safety, and reducing runtime errors.
• Designed and implemented an SSR solution with Next.js for better SEO performance.
• Led A/B testing initiatives for feature rollouts, resulting in data-driven decision-making.

Responsibilities (React Native / React):

• Used modern React features such as Hooks and functional components to redesign UI.
• Optimized React interfaces with memoization, code splitting, and lazy loading.
• Enforced static typing and maintainability through TypeScript migration.

React, Redux Saga, Material UI

• Developed and maintained the company's portfolio of client websites using React and Redux.
• Pioneered the adoption of Sass for styling, which enhanced site responsiveness, and reduced CSS overhead.
• Collaborated with UX/UI designers, transforming designs into pixel-perfect web pages.
• Regularly interfaced with clients, gathering feedback, and ensuring satisfaction.
• Implemented progressive web app (PWA) features, resulting in improved offline user experiences.
• Optimized site performance, achieving scores of 90+ on Google's Lighthouse audits.

Responsibilities (React Native / React):

• Developed modular React components using Material UI with consistent styling and accessibility.
• Managed complex state flows using Redux Saga middleware.
• Implemented PWAs with caching and optimized load strategies.

React, JavaScript

• Supported senior developers in crafting modular React components.
• Participated in the integration of data visualization tools, offering users insightful analytics.
• Assisted in regular site updates, boosting organic web traffic by 30%.
• Adopted version control best practices, leading to more efficient team collaboration using Git.
• Assisted in API integration, connecting front-end interfaces with back-end data.
• Engaged in regular code reviews and pair programming sessions, accelerating learning and fostering team cohesion.

Responsibilities (React Native / React):

• Created React components using Hooks and functional components.
• Updated legacy UI to modern React standards.