The 61st Edition of the Kenya Science Engineering Fair (KSEF) 2025 for Nairobi that brought together young innovators from various secondary schools has concluded after three days of hands-on learning and innovation.
The Fair that was being held at Moi Girls School Nairobi offered students a unique platform to turn their theoretical knowledge into practical solutions, with many participants sharing how it sparked their passion for tackling real-world challenges.
Speaking at the event Moi Girls, Nairobi, Deputy Coordinator for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) at CEMASTEA, Mr Martin Mungai underscored the significance of the Fair, stating that it seeks to inspire students to develop interest in STEM-related fields.
“The Fair is geared towards ensuring young minds possess the qualities of a scientist,” he said, adding, “Students participating in KSEF engage in real-world applications of scientific concepts, which will give them a better chance to make learning more interactive and impactful.”
Mungai said that through KSEF competitions, students can identify challenges in their communities and devise innovative solutions using the scientific knowledge they learn in class.
He pointed out that the Fair and particularly Robotics, which CEMASTEA is keen on, “helps learners to develop a desire to learn how things work and why they function, and that drives them to ask questions and seek answers.”
He continued, “And once they start finding answers, creativity kicks in. They begin to ask, ‘What can I do better? Because while many innovations already exist, nothing happens in a vacuum.”
Mungai revealed that learners utilised the SCAMPER thinking tool—Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse—to develop projects that solve real-world problems.
He divulged that CEMASTEA, a premium STEM institution, is keen on Robotics to nurture students in technological advancements and automation, pointing out that in today’s world, there is a need for creative problem solvers who can tackle various challenges and make lives better.
He said the institution has a well-established reputation for delivering continuous professional development programmes for STEM educators across Kenya and beyond.
As part of its commitment to advancing STEM education, the institution initially introduced the Robotics category exclusively for STEM model schools to foster innovation and technological proficiency.
However, in recognition of the growing significance of robotics in education, the programme has since been expanded to include all schools nationwide, ensuring broader access to cutting-edge learning opportunities.
The Fair, which ran from March 18 to 20, 2025, saw students showcasing their innovative projects in Robotics, and other disciplines: Biology and Biotechnology, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture, and Chemistry.
The Deputy Coordinator said CEMASTEA, a STEM-driven institution, has been taking a lead role in training teachers and introducing innovative learning methods.
He said the approach focused on practical applications through Problem-Based Learning (PBL), where students are encouraged to identify a problem and use STEM concepts to devise solutions.
Additionally, the use of Project-Based Learning (PBL) allows students to develop projects that address real-life challenges, while Place-Based Learning involves field visits to industries, farms, or laboratories to gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts.
Mungai said the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) introduced in Kenya aligns well with the goals of KSEF, as it emphasises practical knowledge application. He said such practical learning fosters curiosity and innovation, for it helps students develop a hands-on understanding of STEM subjects from an early stage.
He encouraged students to embrace STEM disciplines and dismiss misconceptions about their difficulty, noting that platforms like KSEF aim to make STEM education more engaging and significant.
The Robotics category was initially started for STEM model schools, but it’s now open to all schools in the country.
KSEF remains a key pillar in Kenya’s quest for scientific and technological advancement by providing a platform for young innovators to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Through initiatives like KSEF, the country nurtures the next generation of scientists, engineers, and technologists who are equipped to address pressing challenges in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and environmental conservation.
By fostering innovation and encouraging collaboration, KSEF contributes significantly to building a knowledge-based economy, supporting Kenya’s long-term vision of becoming a regional hub for science and technology in Africa.
Among the notable projects showcased at the Fair was Optimos, an Autonomous Multicellular Transport Robot (AMTR) developed by Shania Wanjiku of Moi Girls, Nairobi. She explained that the robot is designed to adapt its functions using sensors, enabling it to perform critical tasks efficiently.
Optimos operates through coordinated interactions, allowing it to navigate difficult terrains and transport challenges and function in disaster-prone areas such as flood zones and collapsed buildings.
It is equipped with advanced sensors and motors, ensuring real-time data collection, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous movement, making it ideal for industrial and emergency applications.
A standout feature of Optimos is its energy efficiency. It can run for two days on a single 30-minute charge, reducing power consumption compared to traditional electric machines.
The adoption of Robotics in factories, construction sites, and infrastructure projects highlights the growing role of robotics in solving real-world challenges and driving advancements in automation.
Gareth Metian and Andrew Baraka from Karura Adventist School developed a waste oil-powered stove to provide an affordable, eco-friendly cooking solution, especially for rural areas.
The stove repurposes used oil, directing it into a combustion chamber for controlled heating with minimal emissions. A copper tube system utilises excess heat to warm water, enhancing efficiency.
Prioritising safety and usability, the stove includes filtration mechanisms to remove impurities before combustion. While waste oil isn’t immediately combustible, high temperatures make it a viable fuel source.
The two innovators said the stove can utilise 20 ml of used oil for 30 minutes to one hour, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional fuels.
Roby Akinyi from Kibra Secondary School developed a motion detection system using an Arduino kit to enhance security. She said she was inspired by the need to prevent poaching of wild animals in national parks, adding that the motion detector can sense intruders at park fences and alert rangers.
She said the project, if implemented by the government, can help to prevent wildlife from escaping, hence minimising conflicts between wildlife and humans.
Beyond parks, she said the system can be used to enhance home and school security, as well as in assisting visually impaired persons. Besides, the system can offer assistance in parking areas.
Though it is not widely used in Kenya, Roby sees it as a potential game-changer in safety and security systems.
June Koech, the innovator behind a groundbreaking fire detection project, explained how the system uses a heat detector to automatically respond to fire outbreaks.
Inspired by past fire incidents in schools and other institutions, which have cost Kenyans millions of shillings and, tragically, claimed many lives, June developed the project to enhance fire safety and address real-world challenges.
The technology is designed to improve human safety by swiftly identifying and reacting to heat. She believes they can offer effective solutions for fire hazards.
Other notable presentations that stole the show included the Artificial Hill Underground Dams, presented by Antoinette Cheptoek and Joy Wairimu from Moi Girls. Their innovative project aims to address irrigation challenges by minimising water evaporation in open dams, offering a sustainable solution to conserve water for agricultural use.
Nairobi Branch KUPPET Executive Secretary Moses Mbora, underscored the importance of the KSEF, underpinning its significance in students’ lives, particularly in career development and in helping them identify their talents.
He noted that such events provide a platform for students to explore their potential and enhance their future opportunities.
Mbora urged the government to increase its investment in STEM Fairs to ensure learners have the necessary support and resources to prepare, compete, and advance to the next level.
He also called for better motivation for teachers to help students develop their skills and guide them through their educational journey, ultimately enabling them to reach their full potential.
The event culminated with the top-performing participants from each category receiving medals after showcasing practical projects aimed at solving real-world human problems.
By Ian Chepkuto
