Garissa hosts 62nd national science and engineering fair

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale joins students and teachers in a jig during the official opening of the 62nd National Science and Engineering Fair held at Garissa High School on Monday. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Basic Education Director General Elias Abdi speaking during the opening ceremony that was held at Garissa High School. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Mohamud Mohamed Dubat chief principal Garissa High School./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Harun Mohamed, the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya speaking during the opening ceremony that was held at Garissa High School. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The Ministry of Education has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education during the official opening of the 62nd National Science and Engineering Fair (KSEF) at Garissa High School.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Basic Education Director General Elias Abdi welcomed the chief guest and conveyed apologies from the Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary, who were unable to attend due to other official engagements.

Abdi expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to the chief guest for honoring the invitation, noting that the presence underscored the importance of STEM advancement in the country, particularly given its relevance to sectors such as health and medicine.

He described KSEF as a key annual co-curricular activity aimed at nurturing learners’ scientific knowledge and skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.

The fair is held on a rotational basis across the country’s eight regions, with North Eastern hosting for the first time since 2004.

“Hosting the 2026 KSEF in Garissa marks a significant milestone for the region, which has experienced notable growth in educational institutions and infrastructure,” Abdi said. “This event will open up the region and provide an opportunity for learners from across the country to better understand North Eastern Kenya.”

He commended the local organizing committee, school leadership, and security teams for their role in preparing for the event.

Abdi noted that the science fair precedes other national co-curricular activities scheduled over the next two weeks, including teachers’ college games in Homabay, athletics and ball games in Kisumu, and drama and film festivals in Nyeri. The scheduling allows participants to attend multiple events.

He emphasized the Ministry’s continued support for co-curricular activities despite funding challenges, highlighting their role under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework in nurturing diverse talents among learners.

Tracing the history of KSEF, Abdi said the competition began in 1962 as the Science Congress, initially limited to a few categories and participants from Nairobi. It was rebranded in 2012 and has since expanded to 18 categories for senior schools and six for junior schools, with the latter participating for the first time this year.

Students are expected to develop innovative projects based on STEM subjects, with opportunities to showcase their work internationally. Kenyan learners have previously participated in global science fairs, including events in South Africa and the United States.

Abdi revealed that the Ministry is working to institutionalize international participation to ensure student innovations extend beyond the national level.

On the implementation of CBE, he noted that 53 percent of learners transitioning to Grade 10 this year have chosen the STEM pathway, reflecting growing interest in the field. He expressed optimism that introducing science fair participation at the junior school level will further boost uptake.

The director general also highlighted government interventions aimed at improving science education, including the SMASSE program and the construction of laboratories. Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that performance in science and mathematics remains lower compared to other subjects, expressing hope that initiatives like KSEF will help reverse the trend.

He concluded by congratulating all participants, noting that reaching the national level is an achievement in itself and that all participants would receive certificates.

Abdi added that hosting the event in Garissa sends a strong message about the region’s capacity to host national functions, helping to reshape perceptions and showcase its potential.

The week-long fair brings together students and teachers from across the country to present innovative projects, marking another step in Kenya’s efforts to strengthen STEM education and innovation among young learners.