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  • Space exploration through STEM education

Mars Society Kenya is Transitioning to a Hybrid Social Enterprise Model.

We are a youthful community, volunteer-driven space advocacy organization of space enthusiasts; and the Kenyan chapter of the global American-based,  non-profit – The Mars Society – led by Dr. Robert Zubrin. Our Public Benefit Organisation keeps ownership and strategic control, while a wholly owned company, (upcoming), builds the revenue that sustains the mission.

Who we are

Our goal is to prepare the general public to support Humans-to-Mars and to inspire more Elon Musks around the world. We hope to partner with the Kenyan government to revive the space industry in Kenya, delivering individual and community projects through partnerships. Our founding goal remains landing human explorers on Mars within a decade.

Kenya is one of the few countries with its own spaceport, and it is steadily rising in the space industry. We start from the destination and work backwards through the steps the country needs to take to reach it.

That is why we are building Space City: a full space academy with a mock-up space habitation modules for training aspiring astronauts, scientists and engineers, alongside our analog research station; OASEAS, so that citizens and partners alike can practise and experiment in a space-like environment; be it the Moon or Mars.

OUR VISION

To become a leading African institution advancing humanity’s participation in space exploration through research, innovation, education, infrastructure development and sustainable enterprise.

OUR MISSION

To democratise access to space exploration and its associated opportunities by developing African capabilities, mobilising research and innovation, cultivating future space professionals and establishing sustainable pathways for participation in the global space economy.

CORE VALUES

  • Safety and integrity
  • Teamwork
  • Excellence
  • Inclusion

OUR NEXT CHAPTER

Mars Society Kenya is Transitioning to a Hybrid Social Enterprise Model

WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE

  • Our vision of humans on Mars within a decade
  • STEM opportunity for every child through Zindua STEM
  • Public awareness and advocacy for Kenya’s space industry
  • Our volunteers, university clubs and open partnerships

WHAT IS NEW

  • (upcoming), a wholly owned company running commercial ventures
  • Profits channelled into the mission, not maximized for their own sake
  • Equity investment alongside grants and donations
  • A path from grant dependency to a self-financing, investor-ready organization

THE VENTURE ARM

Mars Society Kenya is Commercializing Space Innovation via our upcoming Venture arm.

The (upcoming) wholly owned Private Limited Company will turn space-related education, technology, innovation, research, culture and hospitality into sustainable revenue. We will share the venture lines as they are confirmed. If you want to partner or invest, we would like to hear from you.

Talk to us about the venture arm

GOVERNANCE

Built to protect the mission

Legal and governance instruments will safeguard the PBO’s ownership, intellectual property, strategic control and public-benefit mandate. The company needs the PBO’s written consent before any fundamental change to:

THE ULTIMATE GOAL

To transition MSK from grant dependency into a self-financing, financially sustainable and investor-ready organisation, where commercial success directly drives public benefit and long-term institutional growth.

Six objectives

01

Fund the mission

02

Run the commercial ventures

03

Take equity investment

04

Protect the mission and the IP

05

Ring-fence risk

06

Report impact as well as profit

WHERE THE MODEL STARTS

Training, internships and a self-raised workforce

Our camp is the base of the Space City programme. It will receive and train people from all walks of life for a fee. Under the ASI-Sapienza Agreement between the University of Nairobi and the University of Rome (Sapienza Universita di Roma), successful trainees qualify for internships at the space port, and that internship period forms its working population.

After the internship, trainees will be placed where they fit best. The project is designed to raise its own staff, with outside hires only in the rare case a post cannot be filled from within. Partner representatives, such as those of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), will go through the same system as local trainees.

Who we build with

We are open to partnerships to establish both OASEAS and the Space City, and we accept donations in cash or kind.

OUR TEAM

Meet our passionate and able team

Isaac Gathu

President / Founder

An I.T. technician, analog astronaut and ‘Afronaut in Training’ passionate about space habitats, human space exploration and lunar commerce. He founded Mars Society Kenya to grow the Kenyan space industry and a professional team dedicated to landing humans on Mars within a decade.

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Nancy Thuo

Executive Director / STEM Coordinator

An IT and administration professional with a strong drive for STEM and all matters space. She combines IT support, teaching and project management experience with a motivation to inspire others toward space exploration.

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Felistus Wanjiru

Secretary

A multidisciplinary researcher spanning microbiology, space science and climate change, with a focus on astrobiology and how microbial life can thrive in extreme, space-analogous environments.

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Francis Omondi

Treasurer / STEM Coordinator

A digital transformation strategist with over a decade in GIS, information technology and strategic leadership, experienced in data-driven decision-making and delivering complex ICT projects.

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Edel Njoki

Board Member

A construction professional focused on the technical and execution side of building projects, from site management to coordinating architectural, structural and mechanical drawings, with woodworking and graphic design skills.

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Help us build the next chapter

Join as a member, volunteer your skills, give to the mission, or talk to us about partnering with the venture arm.

Become a member
Volunteer
Donate
Partner with the venture arm