Kenya Power Foundation commits Sh1.5 million to boost STEM in schools

Kenya Power Foundation team with the Kenya Science & Engineering Fair team during the cheque handover at Moi Girls' High School, Nairobi, March 26, 2026. /HANDOUT

More than 2,000 students are set to benefit from a Sh1.5 million boost for participating in a national science fair aimed at advancing innovation in schools.

The Kenya Power Foundation has committed the amount to support the 2026 Kenya Science and Engineering Fair (KSEF) as part of its education pillar's push to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools.

The week-long Kenya Science and Engineering Fair runs from March 29 to April 5 in Garissa, bringing together more than 2,000 students competing across 24 categories under the theme 'Sustainable Development for National Development'.

The fair seeks to promote innovative solutions to Kenya’s economic and social challenges.

The foundation’s funding will support cash rewards for top participants as well as certificates, trophies and educational excursions.

“Kenya Power Foundation is coming in because one of our thematic areas is education and we are big on STEM. Our mother brand, Kenya Power, is constantly in need of innovation and this is our bold step towards being part of creating those innovations from scratch,” said Managing Trustee Kevin Sang.

He spoke during a cheque handover ceremony held on Thursday at Moi Girls High School, Nairobi.

“It is very important to equip the future generation with these skills because we must have future workforce in industries such as energy, which is a driving force for economic development and sustainability. We wish all the students participating a good experience and we look forward to the mind-blowing innovations,” he added.

National chairperson Margaret Njaggah said preparations for the fair were complete and called for stronger partnerships to grow STEM initiatives.

“We are so excited about this fair because this is our 62nd forum where we shall also have junior and senior schools joining us. In total we have about 24 categories and many innovations and we shall have about 2,000 young scientists in Garissa together with their teachers,” she said.

"Going forward, we call for more partnerships to continue making STEM better because innovation is the heart of our economy."

The foundation said its education pillar focuses on expanding access to STEM as a pathway to building a resilient energy sector and a skilled workforce.

It has so far supported more than 300 bright and needy students and improved learning infrastructure in over 60 schools.

The initiative aligns with government efforts to increase STEM uptake to at least 60 per cent of senior school students through curriculum reforms and infrastructure investment.

Measures include the rollout of Competency-Based Education, which makes mathematics and science compulsory at senior level, and expanded support for technical and vocational training (TVET).

The government also plans to build 1,600 laboratories to strengthen practical learning, while the Centre for Mathematics Science and Technology Education in Africa continues to train teachers under a five-year programme to improve STEM instruction.

Further investments include the establishment of more than 100 STEM-focused schools and the planned Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology for postgraduate training in engineering and science.

In partnership with Strathmore University and industry players, the government is also supporting the construction of the Kevin O’Byrne STEM Complex, a Sh2.75 billion facility expected to house advanced laboratories in artificial intelligence, robotics and data science.

Kenya Power Foundation said it will continue leveraging partnerships and donations to expand its impact, noting that its programmes are designed to support inclusive and sustainable development.