By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, August 14, 2026 - President William Ruto has ordered the government to give Kenya’s young scientists and innovators a national platform at State House, beginning next year.
Ruto directed the Ministry of Education to establish an annual State House event for winners of the Kenya Science and Engineering Fair, where students will showcase their innovations and receive national recognition.
“Effective next year, the Ministry of Education must bring the winners of the annual Kenya Science and Engineering Fair to State House,” Ruto said on Friday.
The President said the move was intended to give science and innovation the same national recognition enjoyed by music and drama, arguing that young innovators are equally important to Kenya’s future.
“The same way we recognise the talent in music and drama, I think it is time we brought our scientists and innovators on board because they make a huge contribution to the future of our nation,” he said.
Ruto said he wants to personally meet the winners, see their projects and hear the ideas behind their inventions.
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“I want to meet them, see what they have built, and hear their ideas. Above all, I want them to know that their country believes in them and values them,” he said.
The directive comes as Kenya seeks to place greater emphasis on science, technology and innovation. Ruto noted that the annual science and engineering competition has been running since 1962, but its winners have not previously had a formal annual State House recognition.
He recalled meeting Kenyan students who represented the country in a global competition in China and emerged victorious, saying such achievements deserved greater national visibility.
The new State House event will therefore give successful students an opportunity to demonstrate their work directly to the President while highlighting the role of schools in nurturing Kenya’s next generation of scientists and innovators.