Innovators Showcase Local Solutions for Building Sustainable and Adaptive Communities as the MMUST 2026 Innovation Emporium Comes to a Conclusion

Innovators at the just-concluded MMUST 2026 Innovation Emporium have showcased home-grown solutions for building sustainable and adaptive communities. This was during the official closing ceremony of the week-long Emporium, which took place on Thursday, 16^th April, 2026. The ceremony was graced by Dr. Stephen Situma, who was representing the Principal Secretary- State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak. It drew participants from various institutions of higher learning and the industry, including Bomet University, University of Eldoret (UOE), Maseno University, National Intelligence Research University (NIRU), the Shamberere National Polytechnic, Kenya Cyber Security and Forensics Association, Chumz, Mamlo Foods, and Fred Otswong’o & Intellectual Property Associates (FOIPA). The theme of this year’s Emporium was ‘Innovation-driven Entrepreneurship for Building Sustainable, Adaptive and Home-grown solutions for our Communities’.

Guests at the MMUST 2026 Innovation Emporium closing ceremony join the Maasai student community for a dance.

“What I have seen here today is not simply an exhibition. It is a clear evidence that the next generation of Kenya’s innovators is not waiting to be discovered. They are here. The theme of this year’s Emporium reminds us that we need to develop our own solutions for the challenges that we face as a nation. As the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, we are committed to building an ecosystem that innovative institutions like MMUST needs to thrive,” stated Dr. Situma. In his address, Dr. Situma pointed out that institutions of higher learning still face challenges in terms of commercializing their innovations. “We have initiated the research to commercialization program and the innovation entrepreneurship curriculum in several Universities to incubate some of the innovations. I urge MMUST to do three things; Make the Innovation Emporium a permanent fixture, not a periodic event; deepen industry linkages; and build the bridge to funding,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, speaks at the event.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo, noted that throughout the Emporium, the University has witnessed remarkable dedication from innovators, who have conceptualized and developed solutions addressing critical areas within a short period. “This Emporium has provided a platform to showcase our innovations to a broader audience. As a University, we are committed to ensuring that innovation does not remain within laboratories or classrooms, but it is translated into real-world impact. Through our Directorate of Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Center, we continue to strengthen ecosystems that support research commercialization, student entrepreneurship and industry linkages,” said. Prof. Shibairo.

The Vice Chancellor-Bomet University, Prof. Charles Mutai, addresses participants at the event.

“In a rapidly changing world, the only way that we can cope is through innovation. We need people who can think creatively, solve problems and adapt very fast for us to survive through the changes,” stated the Vice Chancellor-Bomet University, Prof. Charles Mutai. Additionally, Prof. Mutai commended the organizers of the event, saying that the innovation emporium is a very important platform as it challenges conventional teaching, and contributes towards the development of much-needed local solutions. “Whatever you are generating today, are the solutions for tomorrow. Let us keep innovating.”

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Christopher Ngacho, in his remarks, appreciated the Director of Science Park, Innovation and Incubation Center (SPIIC), Dr. Tecla Sum, and her entire team for organizing a successful Emporium. “As a Division, we continue to champion innovation, commercialization, community-driven solutions, and industry-academia linkages. We look forward to involving more innovators across the country in our future emporiums,” said Prof. Ngacho.

Dr. Collins Odoyo showcases an EV charging system innovation dubbed ‘Poweredup Kenya’.

Dr. Fredrick Wahome, an Officer from the Kenya Cyber Security and Forensics Association, emphasized the need for the industry to walk with young innovators and inculcate the right values in them. “I have interacted with a number of higher education institutions and I can attest to the fact that there is so much energy in MMUST. As an Association, we will work together with this University to establish a centre of cyber security, which will help in the preparation of students for the job market. We commit to continue mentoring your student innovators beyond the 72-hour hackathon, assisting them translate their ideas into solutions that can be used in the industry,” remarked Dr. Wahome.

Notably, the climax of the ceremony was an award session, which saw participants who took part in various activities in the innovation Emporium receive presents.

The winners of the Mr. and Miss Talanta MMUST 25/26 recognized at the ceremony.

The MMUST 2026 innovation Emporium is a clear demonstration that the University is not only a center of academic excellence, but also a hub of practical problem-solving and transformative ideas. Indeed, a true Science and Technology institution is not defined by the knowledge it transfers but the solutions it generates, the enterprises it creates and the transformation it has to the surrounding community.