KICD promotes CBC innovations and creativity in learning institutions
ERICK OMULO- PCO
Wheat and rice farmers may soon find lasting relief from the destructive quelea birds, thanks to an innovative solution developed by learners from Agoro Sare High School in Homa Bay County.
The learners, working alongside their Agriculture and Biology teacher, have also developed an Automated Solar-Powered Water and Seed Sower Machine designed to make farming more efficient and cost-effective.
The two innovations attracted widespread interest from farmers, researchers, educators and other stakeholders during the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo 2026, where the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) sponsored the school’s participation and provided a platform to showcase the innovations.
Promoting innovation and transforming creative ideas into practical solutions is critical to Kenya’s industrialisation agenda and its aspiration to compete with advanced economies such as Singapore and South Korea.
Achieving food security requires embracing modern agricultural technologies that enhance productivity while reducing production costs.
The innovations by Agoro Sare High School demonstrated how competency-based learning equips learners to provide practical solutions to societal challenges.
Their exhibition at the Kaimosi Agricultural Expo drew significant attention from farmers, researchers, educators and visitors, highlighting the transformative potential of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in driving technological advancement and sustainable development.
KICD sponsored the school’s participation as part of its commitment to promoting learner-centred innovations that address real-life challenges.
The initiative aligns with the Institute’s mandate of developing a 21st-century curriculum that nurtures creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.
The Automated Solar-Powered Water and Seed Sower Machine was among the outstanding innovations presented during the 2026 Kenya National Science and Engineering Fair.
The innovation was developed by Mr. Danielle Winyo, an Agriculture and Biology teacher at Agoro Sare High School, together with learners Godwins Ouma and Vincent Omwamba, under the leadership of the school’s Chief Principal, Dr. Isack Okeyo Ogol.
Their inventions demonstrate the practical application of knowledge and competencies acquired through CBC in addressing community challenges.
The automated solar-powered water and seed sower machine is designed to improve agricultural productivity by reducing labour requirements and saving time.
The machine performs multiple farming operations simultaneously, including ploughing, harrowing, seed dispensing and covering, irrigation, and fertilizer application.
It also features a security coding system that allows users to programme its operations while protecting it from unauthorised use and damage.
The school also showcased another innovation dubbed “Sparrow”, a robotic bird-control device developed to protect rice and wheat farms from destructive quelea birds.
The machine detects birds, scares them away and sprays deterrent chemicals, thereby minimising crop losses and enhancing food security.
Prof. Charles Ong’ondo, KICD Chief Executive Officer encouraged learning institutions to be more innovative and come up with solutions to address societal challenges.
He noted that the competency-based curriculum is equipping learners with the knowledge, practical skills, values and innovative mindset needed to solve real-life challenges.