By Norah Musega
museganorah@gmail.com
Kanga High school students have invented a system that detects the presence of smoke, flammable substances and fire before it destroys school infrastructure.
The innovation has secured Lawi Okoth, Dexter Neuvelle, Erickson Williams and Brolyne Jener a ticket to the International Innovation Contest to be held in the United States of America (USA) in January next year.
Immediately the device’s sensor detects presence of fuel or smoke in the event of a fire, it sends an alert through text message to the numbers set to receive it while also indicating the exact location of the fire or fuel.
The Form Three students who recently received an award of Ksh 50,000 at a national innovation contest expressed their joy for having the opportunity to represent the country at such an advanced stage.
This is a dream come true for the students who say it will help save resources procured by parents and the Ministry of Education which would otherwise be destroyed by inferno incidences whose cases have been on the rise in the recent past.
They noted the idea was intended to enhance safety in schools, hospitals and other public institutions.
The achievement has seen the Kanga High School Principal Reuben Kodiango call on parents and teachers to discover and support such skills in their children.
Kodiango called on the government to consider buying such ideas and skills from local scientists to come up with new solutions for perennial problems ailing the education and other sectors.
“Instead of buying machines from outside countries, the government should consider implementation of ideas and innovations by our local youth in line with its initiative to promote local talent. It should consider packaging and implementing this idea,” said Kodiango.
The school Head of Science department Benard Odira says such competitions give learners and teachers an exposure and opportunity to learn and research on new ideas.
“The students stand a chance of getting support either through scholarships and financial aid or through securing jobs after school. I encourage my colleagues to support their learners to excel in these competitions,” said Odira.
They are hopeful to win the competition and see the Kenyan government implement their innovation in a bid to stop school arson once and for all.
