The 2025 Remote Sensing Hackathon, held on 2nd and 3rd July at the Innovation and Prototyping Integrated Centre (IPIC), JKUAT, brought together a vibrant mix of students and experts to explore the vast potential of geospatial technologies. With participants from JKUAT and PAUSTI, the two-day event offered hands-on training in applying remote sensing tools to real-world challenges in agriculture, environmental conservation, and urban development.

The hackathon kicked off with a training session by Mr. Hiroto Seki, a geospatial expert with a background in satellite technology and previous experience at SONY. Currently supporting the exploration of opportunities for international collaboration between Japan and Africa, Mr. Seki guided participants through the installation and practical use of QGIS, an open-source GIS platform widely used for remote sensing and spatial analysis. Students learned how to analyze satellite imagery, process raster data, and overlay multiple geospatial datasets for practical decision-making in agriculture and land use planning.

Training and Expert Demonstrations

The training was complemented by key presentations from experienced researchers:

Dr. John Ng’ethe: Remote Sensing and Geospatial Mapping Tools

Dr. Ngethe, a lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at JKUAT, delivered an insightful session on the application of remote sensing technologies, including LiDAR, infrared thermal imaging, and GIS platforms like ArcGIS in engineering and urban development.

He emphasized the advantages of satellite imagery over drone-based data collection, citing its cost-effectiveness, broader area coverage, and faster acquisition, particularly in light of the strict regulations surrounding drone usage. These tools, he explained, support detailed 3D terrain modeling, forest canopy analysis, and urban mapping, all of which are vital for informed infrastructure and environmental planning.

Dr. Ngethe also showcased how infrared thermal mapping can be used to detect inefficiencies in solar panel installations, often caused by dust or shading. He concluded by stressing the increasing adoption of GIS by engineers, architects, and planners for slope analysis, disaster risk assessment, and urban infrastructure design.

Dr. Rintaro Kinoshita (JICA Expert): Remote Sensing in Agriculture

Dr. Kinoshita, a JICA expert, delivered a compelling presentation on the use of remote sensing in agriculture, drawing from a collaborative research project on potato production in Nyandarua County. He showcased how satellite imageries are employed for field boundary detection, crop mapping, and growth monitoring, enabling farmers to efficiently manage large tracts of land at reduced cost.

By identifying issues early, such as uneven crop development or areas of poor growth, farmers can target interventions more precisely, optimizing input use and reducing waste. Dr. Kinoshita also highlighted the role of spectral data in monitoring soil organic matter, a critical indicator of soil health. This data supports smarter fertilization strategies and better land use planning. Overall, remote sensing empowers farmers with early warnings on crop stress, accurate yield forecasting, and more resilient, data-driven decision-making, transforming traditional farming into a more efficient and sustainable practice.

Student Presentations and Innovative Solutions

On the second day, two student teams presented practical solutions built on remote sensing and GIS technologies, showing how these tools can directly address Kenya’s pressing food and environmental challenges.

Leveraging GIS for Equitable Food Distribution (Samburu County)

The first team explored the issue of food insecurity in Samburu County, a semi-arid region affected by low agricultural productivity. Their presentation featured graphs and trend analyses illustrating how remote sensing tools can be applied to map and monitor factors like soil productivity, land use, and water accessibility. The team demonstrated how GIS-based approaches could support better decision-making by offering insights into climate trends, environmental degradation, and areas needing targeted agricultural support. Their work aimed to highlight the potential of geospatial data in informing equitable resource distribution to vulnerable communities.

Combating Forest Encroachment and Deforestation

The second team addressed the growing concern of illegal forest encroachment, which undermines biodiversity and canopy health. While some encroached areas appear forested, the underlying loss of native species and habitat diversity goes unnoticed. Using remote sensing and temporal change detection, the team proposed a monitoring system that distinguishes between natural forest and human-influenced tree planting. Their solution promotes reforestation, climate regulation, and urban green planning as key tools in reversing deforestation and promoting sustainable land management.

The 2025 Remote Sensing Hackathon at JKUAT demonstrated how students, researchers can use geospatial intelligence to solve some of Kenya’s most urgent challenges, from precision agriculture in Nyandarua to resource distribution in Samburu and biodiversity protection across our forests. With tools like QGIS, LiDAR, and thermal imaging becoming more accessible, the future of agriculture, urban planning, and environmental management in Kenya is bright, guided by data, innovation, and collaboration.

(Article written by: Billy Isaac Oluoch)