Written by Thuo Karanja

CEMASTEA was among the 14 government institutions and agencies awarded a National Innovation Award at the inaugural Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) 2021. This was in recognition of the role the CEMASTEA plays in building the capacities of STEM teachers in innovative pedagogy and having innovative STEM programmes. Kenya Innovation Week (KIW) is a flagship innovation forum run by the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA).

The forum took place at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) from 6^th to 10^th December 2021 sought to showcase the innovativeness of Kenyans, champion relevant policy engagements on innovations and strengthen the research and commercialization practices for more significant socio-economic impact. Government agencies, students from schools, colleges and universities, the private sector, development partners, media and civil society attended the event. Key activities and forum tracks included keynote speeches, exhibitions, panel discussions, networking, hackathons and start-up pitches.

 The Chief Guest during the forum was Mr Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of ICT, Youth and Innovation. Keynote speakers included Amb. Simon Nabukwesi, Principal Secretary, State Department for University Education and Kadri Humal Ayal, Honorary Consul - The Republic of Estonia in Kenya and Patricia Scotland Secretary-General, Commonwealth.

 One innovation at the exhibition was Track and Save a Life (TASAL). It was developed by a Community-Based Organisation (CBO) named) in Moyale Sub County, founded by Dahabo Adi Galgallo, an epidemiologist working with the Ministry of Health; Marsabit County. was awarded Kshs. 800,000 for their innovation that helps combat maternal deaths. The CBO works with expectant mothers by fitting them with an electronic GPS and culturally accepted embroidered bead bracelets to track and relay the wearer’s position to health workers via a web or android-based application. This enables healthcare workers to pinpoint the wearer within cellular network coverage hence helping provide Antenatal Care (ANC).

 Students from St. Thomas Girls, Kilifi, stole the show with a powerful closing ceremony pitch done in the presence of the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony Chief Guest Amb. Nabukwesi. Key sponsors for the event, included Villgro Africa and Konza Technopolis, who were looking for potential scalable and sustainable innovations with business models for commercialization. The best exhibition was awarded USD, 5000 and 1st and 2nd runners up getting USD 3000 and USD 2000 accordingly. Teachers aiming to participate in science and engineering fair projects should not miss this event in future.