Kenya, Hub for Innovation

Kenya’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation extends far beyond startups. The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and their team at International Center for Humanitarian Affairs

(ICHA) is playing a key role in this movement, empowering young changemakers through innovation labs, humanitarian coding clubs, and collaborations with local tech organisations.

In 2020, the KRCS launched its first I.O.Me254 innovation labs in Mombasa and Lamu. These labs offer youth with hands-on access to specialised machinery like laser cutters and 3D printers, while also offering training in coding and robotics, including a dedicated humanitarian coding club. Since their launch, the labs have supported over 280 projects and reached more than 7,000 youth.

KRCS has also partnered with Steam Interactive Global, an organisation running school-based coding clubs across the country, further expanding opportunities for young innovators to build their skills and bring ideas to life.

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

As part of the 2025 AI for Good Global Summit, the KRCS, together with Steam Interactive, co-organized and hosted the national Robotics for Good Youth Challenge at its KRCS Nairobi branch, bringing together 85 young innovators. Among the standout participants were Code Breakers and Simbatech Experts, the two winning teams. This year’s challenge called on participants to design robotic solutions for disaster response.

The Code Breakers, a group of four young innovators aged 7 to 12, proudly earned a finalist spot in Kenya’s national Robotics for Good competition. Led by 12-year-old Elisabeth, the team built a working prototype of a robot designed to remove debris after earthquakes and assist in rescuing survivors. Using Arduino, they learned to code and engineered a functioning claw mechanism. Now, they’re ready to work on an enhanced version of their robot that could help evacuate people safely during emergencies.

“I like creating the codes and finding the problems, because it’s fun to see the robot move in a different direction. Sometimes it just looks like it’s chasing someone!” 

Elisabeth, Team Leader for Code Breakers

The Simbatech Experts, consisting of six students from St Anne School in Muthale, Kitui County, also stood out as finalists in the global Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale 2025. Using Vex Code software and optical sensors, they programmed their robot to detect debris and move coloured blocks symbolising people in need of evacuation or medical attention.

What’s Next?

The KRCS’s successful engagement with youth in robotics demonstrates how accessible, hands-on training can develop technical skills and build confidence, particularly among children from under-resourced communities. Building on this success, KRCS plans to expand its network of innovation labs to more regions across the country.

“These individuals are not just learning to code; they are learning to solve problems that affect their communities.”

Mike Odhiambo, Innovation Lab Officer, Kenya Red Cross Society, ICHA.

There is also growing interest within the broader IFRC network to explore the integration of robotics and coding into youth engagement and disaster response initiatives, highlighting the potential of technology-driven approaches in humanitarian contexts.