At the ground floor of his rented apartment in Rongai, Eugene Awimbo’s lifelong fascination with space and rocketry is taking tangible form. Two large rocket models stand mounted on metal pillars, each a work in progress and a symbol of a vision he has pursued for more than a decade to become the first Kenyan innovator to build functional rockets from the ground up.
“I have been doing this for over 10 years. I did not study this in school; it is purely driven by passion,” Awimbo says.
Inspired by the space ventures of American billionaire Elon Musk, Awimbo is determined to contribute to Kenya’s scientific and technological advancement. For now, his focus is on developing rocket models that can support the growth of space science education in the country.
His work extends beyond personal experimentation. Awimbo actively engages with schools, using his models as teaching tools to spark interest in space science and exploration among students.
“I mainly target schools. Through collaborations, I visit institutions to teach learners about space science and exploration, with the aim of nurturing future scientists and astronauts,” he explains.
Using locally sourced materials such as steel and aluminium, Awimbo relies largely on self-directed learning through online resources, particularly instructional videos on YouTube. Despite limited formal training, his commitment has enabled him to steadily refine his designs.
Looking ahead, Awimbo envisions establishing a recreational and educational centre where Kenyans can learn about rocketry and even participate in controlled rocket launches.
He also revealed that he is working closely with the Kenya Space Agency to seek technical guidance and potential collaboration.
“We are in constant communication, and I am hopeful that we will soon be able to advance this innovation further. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s space exploration journey,” Awimbo says, expressing optimism about the future.
His story reflects how passion, persistence, and self-belief can drive innovation, even in highly specialised fields like space science.
