In the heart of East Africa, Kenya’s journey to the stars began in the 1960s, a time when the world was still awakening to the possibilities of space. Kenya, in partnership with Italy built the Malindi Space Centre, now known as the Luigi Broglio Space Centre. Situated near the equator, the launch site became the first of its kind, and between 1967 and 1988, over 20 sounding rockets and 9 satellites were launched, placing Kenya at the forefront of African space activities.
On December 12, 1970, the Small Astronomical Satellite 1 (SAS-1), or “Uhuru”, was launched from Kenya, operated by NASA. A tribute to Kenya’s newfound independence just seven years prior, this groundbreaking mission was the first satellite designed specifically for X-ray astronomy.
As the years passed, Kenya’s commitment to space grew deeper. In March 2017, the establishment of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) marked the next chapter. Established under the Ministry of Defence by Executive Order (Legal Notice No. 22 of 7th March 2017), the KSA’s vision aligned with the nation’s ambitious Vision 2030 development strategy. In May 2018, the country launched its first nanosatellite (a technology demonstrator), 1KUNS-PF, into orbit a symbol of its growing technical prowess. 1KUNS-PF was developed by the University of Nairobi with support from Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and deorbited in June 2020.
The pace of progress quickened. In 2023, Kenya’s Taifa-1 3U CubeSat, designed to monitor agriculture, urban planning, and natural resources, became the country’s first operational Earth observation satellite. Developed by Kenyan engineers with support from EnduroSat, Taifa-1 exemplified Kenya’s maturing space capabilities. And with the return of operations to the Luigi Broglio Space Centre in 2024, Kenya signalled its intention to lead the charge in monitoring climate change, particularly desertification, using its unique equatorial position. The momentum has only built since then, with Kenya’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027, launched in May 2024, setting the stage for the country’s space ambitions to grow even further.
From February 12 to 26, I journeyed to Kenya to explore the dynamic and growing space sector of the East African nation. My trip was a deep dive into the people, projects, and challenges shaping Kenya’s space future, where I engaged with local pioneers and visionaries who are paving the way for the next generation of space explorers and innovators.
Among the people I met was Bramuel Nakholi, founder of the Kenya Space Society (KSS). This vibrant, non-profit community of over 600 members primarily students fosters an enthusiasm for space through stargazing events, space nights, and educational outreach. With ambitions to grow to 1,000 members by 2025, KSS is making strides in turning the Kenyan space community into an active, collaborative force, which works with the KSA to inspire the nation’s youth.
I also spoke to Isaac Macharia, founder of Mars Society Kenya, which advocates for the exploration and eventual colonisation of Mars. As the Kenyan chapter of the global Mars Society, the organisation is focused on creating a Mars Habitat Simulation Programme within the country, focusing on an analogue habitat and space city. Isaac spoke candidly about the challenges they face, particularly the lack of policy frameworks around issues like Intellectual Property Rights, which can hinder innovation.
Another important conversation took place with Billy Nyaga, coordinator of CANSAT Kenya – a program dedicated to building small-scale satellites known as CANSATs. Billy’s initiative is introducing school and university students to the wonders of space technology. CANSAT Kenya’s efforts were recently recognised as one of the winners of the NextGen Space Challenge, though challenges such as limited access to funding and the need for broader awareness persist.
I also met Susan Murabana, the visionary behind Travelling Telescope Kenya, a social enterprise that brings astronomy to communities across the country. As recently profiled in a previous Space Dialogue Session with Nelly, Travelling Telescope Kenya is a social enterprise registered in Kenya in 2014, which is dedicated to promoting science and technology using astronomy and astrophysics tools and concepts. Susan’s passion for promoting science and technology shines through her work, notably constructing a planetarium in Nairobi with a dome built out of locally sourced bamboo. Her work is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of African entrepreneurs, particularly in the field of space education.
Additionally, I connected with Vivianne Meta, Managing Director of LocateIT, a leading Geo-ICT company specialising in remote sensing and Earth observation. Vivianne shared the growing pains of micro, small, and medium enterprises in the Kenyan industry, where scaling enterprises remains a challenge. She also highlighted the struggle to compete with international players like Planet who benefit from economies of scale, as well as the challenges of brain drain as talented employees seek higher-paying international opportunities.
At the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD), I was introduced to their GMES&Africa team, who are using remote sensing data from European and NASA satellites to tackle development challenges like land degradation. Their work exemplifies how space data can be harnessed for practical, on-the-ground solutions across Africa.
One of the most significant moments of my trip were my meetings with Brigadier Hillary Kipkosgey, Director General of the KSA, and Joan Chesoni, Director of the KSA Board. Both leaders provided a glimpse into Kenya’s ambitious plans for space development, including creating a regulatory environment that encourages private sector growth and innovation. The KSA is focused on enhancing the use of space data across government sectors, developing national infrastructure, and forging collaborations with universities. Public-private partnerships, which have been central to Kenya’s green energy revolution, are also seen as key to growing the space economy.
Brig Kipkosgey also highlighted the KSA’s ambitions to develop engineering capability, data sharing, and downstream Earth observation services, as well as collaborating with local universities. Other key elements of the KSA’s strategy are to raise awareness through workshops, conferences, school outreach, and courses.
My conversations in Kenya highlighted a shared optimism and determination to build a robust, sustainable space ecosystem. With the KSA’s strategic vision for space data utilisation and public engagement, as well as the energy and passion of local space advocates, Kenya is positioning itself to become a leader in the African space frontier.
In my final meeting with Brig. Kipkosgey, I discussed opportunities for collaboration, focusing on creating a pipeline that connects academia with industry to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector. As I left Kenya, I was left with a clear understanding of the groundwork that had been laid in Kenya for a thriving, collaborative space ecosystem that could transform the country’s future and beyond.
Source:https://spacehubs.africa/insight/2025/3/what-is-the-future-of-the-kenyan-space-ecosystem
