Scientists want space centre shifted from Defense ministry

Researchers are lobbying to have Kenya’s first ever space programme placed under the Ministry of Higher Education and not the Ministry of Defence.

The scholars are also appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto to issue an executive order that will oversee the repossession of a space centre that has been under Italian authorities since its commissioning in the 1960s.

Speaking to the Nation.co.ke in Nyeri, the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (Nacosti) chief executive officer Moses Rugut argued that the programme will benefit research more than security.

“We understand that it will boost security efficiency through surveillance and that is why the department of defense is involved. But it should be placed squarely under the ministry of higher education because its sole purpose is to advance research and studies,” he said.

The move comes at a time when the country is in the final stages of formulating a space agency which has been placed under the defense department.

However the Nacosti chief feels that the programme should also involve the ministry of higher education, science and technology.

“It is time for us to make a major leap in the field of scientific research and space exploration, presents the best opportunity for that,” said Mr Rugut.

The spaceport called The San Marco platform located in Malindi is the only spot in the country that is energetically favourable to launch a rocket and a satellites.

Currently it is being run by an Italian space agency under the name Luigi Broglio Space Centre (BSC), being used for space explorations and has been used to launch satellites since 1967. The last launch was in 1988.  It is Italy’s oldest launch site and has seen up to 27 launches.

According to Mr Rugut, studies have been conducted and the only thing left is for President Kenyatta to issue a directive to initiate talks with the Italian authorities to oversee a handover of the facility.

“We have held talks with the president and his deputy and we feel it is only a matter of time before we can start exploring the outer space,” added Mr Rugut.

If successful, this will be one of the greatest advancement in the scientific research field besides the nuclear programme which has already gone through three out of 19 stages.

The space centre that is expected to cost about Sh10 billion for earth observation satellites will be a boost to the country's security as well as provide solutions in the agriculture, education and medical sectors.