From satellites orbiting a whole lot of kilometres above the earth to the archaeological report of humanity’s earliest innovation within the Lake Turkana Basin, the Ministry of Defence showcased the breadth of Kenya’s science and expertise agenda through the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo and Conference 2026 in Nairobi.
The four-day discussion board introduced collectively authorities establishments, growth companions, academia, personal sector actors, innovators and information practitioners to look at the long run of information, synthetic intelligence, space-enabled growth and accountable innovation.
At the exhibition, the Ministry’s presence was mirrored via Kenya Space Agency (KSA) and the Kenya Home of Human Origins Project, which showcased two dimensions of Kenya’s science and innovation agenda: the use of area expertise and earth remark in planning, resilience and safety, and the nation’s human origins heritage from the Lake Turkana Basin as a platform for analysis, tourism, funding and science training.
Speaking through the closing session, the Director General of the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Dr Macdonald Obudho, mentioned the discussion board had reaffirmed the strategic place of information as a nationwide asset. He famous that nationwide statistical programs should proceed evolving into trusted stewards of built-in information ecosystems, bringing collectively official statistics, administrative information, earth remark, geospatial info and citizen-generated information.
Representing the Kenya Space Agency Board, Dr Philip Osano mentioned the convention had demonstrated the rising function of area science and expertise in informing coverage and supporting growth priorities. He emphasised the necessity to put money into shared infrastructure, younger innovators and start-ups working with information and space-based functions.
The convention closed with a name for establishments to maneuver from dialogue to implementation by strengthening information programs, increasing sensible functions of science and expertise and deepening collaboration. For the Ministry of Defence, the discussion board bolstered the worth of science, area, heritage and innovation as instruments for planning, resilience, growth and nationwide safety.
