"I have been doing this for over 10 years now. I did not study this in school; it is all passion," Awimbo says.
A Journey Born from Curiosity
Awimbo's journey into rocketry is unconventional. Without a background in aerospace engineering, he has relied on online research, trial and error, and continuous experimentation to develop his designs. His work is largely shaped by hours spent studying global advancements in space technology, including those led by figures such as Elon Musk, whose work helped spark his interest in the field.
Using locally available materials such as steel and aluminium, Awimbo constructs and tests rocket models within the limited space of his apartment. The setting is modest, but the process is deliberate, with each prototype reflecting incremental improvements informed by repeated testing and observation.
A Mission to Inspire the Next Generation
While his rockets are not yet designed for orbital launch, their purpose is clearly defined. Awimbo is using them as tools to promote space science education in Kenya, particularly among young learners.
"I target schools mostly," he explains. "In collaboration, I go to schools and teach students about space science and exploration, to help them become future scientists and astronauts."
His outreach efforts have turned the project into more than a personal pursuit. By taking his work into classrooms, Awimbo is introducing students to concepts that remain largely inaccessible within standard curricula, helping to bridge a gap between curiosity and practical exposure.
Collaboration with Kenya Space Agency
Beyond education, he is also exploring institutional collaboration. Awimbo says he has been engaging with the Kenya Space Agency, seeking guidance and potential areas of support that could help scale his work.
"I'm working closely with the Kenya Space Agency to find areas of collaboration and guidance," he says. "We are in constant contact, and we hope that soon we will be able to advance my innovation. I want to help advance Kenya's space exploration."
A Vision for the Future
According to Awimbo, his long-term goal is to establish a dedicated space education and recreational centre, where students and enthusiasts can learn about rocketry, build their own models, and safely participate in launch activities. The idea reflects a broader ambition to create structured access to space science at a local level.
The work itself remains grounded in persistence. Each day involves testing designs, refining structures, and learning through failure as much as success. It is a process shaped less by resources and more by consistency.
The Bigger Picture
What Awimbo is building is not just a series of rocket models. It is an entry point into a field that has often felt distant in many African contexts. His work places that possibility closer to home, showing how individual initiative can begin to open pathways into areas that are still largely underdeveloped.
As Kenya continues to develop its space programme, with the Kenya Space Agency working to establish the country's presence in space exploration, innovators like Awimbo are playing a crucial role in building the foundation for future generations of scientists and engineers. His work serves as a reminder that passion and persistence can overcome the lack of formal resources, and that Africa's contribution to space exploration can begin in the most unexpected places.
With reporting from Africa Global News.
