Two high school students from Nova Pioneer Boys High School in Eldoret have emerged as the overall winners of the 8th National Science and Technology Exhibition with an innovation aimed at tackling corruption.
Their project, Afronomy Chain, is a blockchain-powered web system designed to enable real-time tracking of public funds from collection to expenditure. By providing transparent and tamper-proof records, the platform aims to help curb misuse of public resources and promote accountability in governance.
The project triumphed over 130 other STEM innovations submitted from across Kenya. As winners, the duo received a four-year university scholarship, cash prizes, mobile devices, and an all-expenses-paid trip to Ireland to represent Kenya at the 2026 Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin.
They shared that this success came after a previous attempt in 2023, where they placed third. Their journey reflects persistence, resilience, and the value of refining ideas over time.
The exhibition’s runners-up, from Kilifi County, showcased a Smart Solar-Jiko Hybrid Water Distiller designed to provide clean water using sustainable energy. In the special awards category, students from a school for the visually impaired presented an affordable, self-powered wheelchair driven by a dynamo, promoting STEM inclusivity.
Held in Nairobi from 5th to 9th August, the exhibition brought together over 1,000 students from all 47 counties under the theme “Using STEM to Drive Towards a Sustainable Future.” More than 3,000 attendees, including educators, policymakers, and development partners, explored the wide range of innovations on display.
Participants competed across four main categories: Technology, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Biological and Ecological Sciences, and Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The event highlighted the potential of young innovators to provide solutions to real-world problems.
Government officials praised the creativity, problem-solving spirit, and determination of the students, affirming support for the deployment of such innovations to make real social impact.
This year also marked a milestone as Young Scientists Kenya signed a licensing agreement with the long-running Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in Ireland, enabling deeper international collaboration and brand recognition.
Since its launch in 2018, the program has reached over 250,000 students, supported 1,700 STEM projects, and engaged hundreds of teachers and mentors. Alumni have gone on to secure scholarships, start businesses, and register patents.
The exhibition continues to serve as a crucial platform for nurturing young scientific talent and inspiring a generation committed to shaping a transparent, sustainable future.
