The Principal Secretary for the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, MBS, today made an official visit to the Luigi Broglio Malindi Space Centre (LBMSC), reaffirming government support for the development of space technology in Kenya.
Eng. Tanui was welcomed by Kenya Space Agency (KSA) Director General, Brig. Hillary Kipkosgey, and Dr. Giancarlo Santilli, the Manager of the LBMSC under the Italian Space Agency (ASI). The two officials briefed the PS on the Centre’s operations, achievements, and its ongoing contributions to Kenya’s space agenda.
In his address, the PS voiced strong support for the planned establishment of a Regional Centre for Earth Observation at the facility. He emphasized the ICT Ministry’s commitment to working closely with the Kenya Space Agency to expand the centre’s impact, foster scientific talent, and boost public appreciation of the country’s space capabilities.
“Our partnership will help nurture a new generation of scientists and engineers, while raising awareness on how space technology contributes to national development,” said Eng. Tanui.
Brig. Kipkosgey welcomed the support, stressing that the LBMSC remains a cornerstone for Kenya’s ambitions in space science. He noted that one of KSA’s top priorities is to harness Earth observation data to address national challenges such as food security, environmental conservation, disaster management, and land use planning.
“Earth observation is our entry point to unlocking the full potential of space technology for Kenya’s development,” said Brig. Kipkosgey.
During the tour, the PS visited key installations at the LBMSC, including the Remote Sensing Centre (Centre for Earth Observation), the Training and Education Centre, the Operations Control Centre, and the Space Museum.
The Kenya Space Agency, in collaboration with the Italian Space Agency, has utilized the LBMSC to strengthen Kenya’s space ecosystem, build technical expertise, and expand access to critical satellite data.
The visit marks a significant step in inter-agency collaboration aimed at unlocking the socio-economic benefits of space technology in Kenya and the wider region.
