The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) has emerged among the top performers at the 2026 Mombasa International Show, securing three first-place awards and a third-place award during the official opening ceremony held at the Jomo Kenyatta Showground in Mkomani, Mombasa.
The awards were presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, who recognized exhibitors demonstrating excellence in research, innovation and interpretation of this year's theme, “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.”
During his visit to the TUM stand, Hon. Kagwe interacted with student innovators and viewed a range of innovations and research outputs on display. He expressed admiration for the creativity, and practical solutions developed by the students to address contemporary societal and environmental challenges.
TUM was awarded first place in the categories of Best University Stand, Education and Research (Stand that Best Interprets the Show Theme), and Best Stand in Research and Development (Educational). The University also secured third place in the Best Innovation and Invention Stand category.
Speaking on the achievement, Vice Chancellor Prof. Laila Abubakar congratulated the University team for the outstanding performance and reaffirmed TUM's commitment to strengthening research, innovation and intellectual property development.
Prof. Abubakar noted that the University secured 12 patents during the last financial year, reflecting the growing culture of innovation and the increasing quality of research outputs generated at the institution.
She emphasized the importance of protecting innovations and encouraged researchers, staff and student innovators to patent their projects in order to safeguard intellectual property and unlock opportunities for commercialization and wider societal impact.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the role of the Partnerships, Research and Innovation (PRI) Office in supporting innovators through intellectual property protection, technology transfer and commercialization processes. She noted that the office plays a critical role in ensuring that promising ideas move beyond the research stage and create value for industry and society.
She further encouraged innovators to work closely with the PRI Office to access guidance and support in innovation development, patenting and technology transfer.
The recognition follows an impressive showcase of research outputs and innovations from various disciplines across the University, including Engineering, Information Technology, Architecture, Food Science and Health-related fields.
Among the innovations showcased was a high-performance digital trade platform developed by Eddy Otieno from the Institute of Computing and Informatics. The project demonstrates how digital technologies can support climate-smart agriculture, trade initiatives and sustainable economic growth by connecting market activity with agricultural value chains.
Lukman Mohamed from the Institute of Maritime and Seafaring Studies presented an underwater research submarine designed as a low-cost alternative for monitoring aquatic environments that support fisheries and aquaculture. The innovation can also assist in locating lost items in water bodies, reducing risks associated with deploying divers before assessing underwater conditions.
Also featured was an Automated Greenhouse Control System developed by Lynne Chepkemoi, a fourth-year student from the Department of Electrical Engineering. The system uses sensors to monitor temperature, soil moisture, humidity and light intensity, automatically regulating greenhouse conditions through fans, misting systems and ventilation mechanisms.
Participating in the show for the first time, Lynne said the interaction with judges and visitors helped her identify areas where she could further strengthen and refine her innovation.
"I have learned a lot from this experience. The feedback I received has shown me areas where I can improve and perfect my project. I am looking forward to coming back next year with an even stronger innovation," she said.
Her experience reflects the broader value of the exhibition, which provides students and researchers with an opportunity to showcase their innovations, engage with industry and public stakeholders, receive feedback and continuously improve their solutions.
The University extends its heartfelt congratulations to all innovators, mentors, innovation patrons, the Partnership, Research and Innovation Office and the entire TUM fraternity for this remarkable achievement. Their dedication, creativity and collaborative spirit continue to strengthen TUM's position as a leading centre of research, innovation and knowledge generation.
As the exhibition continues, the recognition serves as a strong affirmation of TUM's commitment to transforming knowledge into practical solutions that contribute to sustainable development and economic growth. The Mombasa International Show is set to end on Sunday, 6th September.
