Kenya has made notable strides in strengthening its science research and innovation ecosystem, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has said.
In a speech read out by Science, Research and Innovation Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak during the official opening of the 4th Multi-sectoral Conference and Exhibition on Research, Science, Technology and Innovation, CS Ogamba said Kenya has achieved these strides through progressive policy, legal, and institutional reforms.
He attributed the positive reforms to the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Act, 2013, which laid the groundwork for the establishment of key STI institutions in Kenya like the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KENIA), and the National Research Fund (NFR).
“Given the dynamic nature of science, research and innovation, the Ministry of Education spearheaded the development of the Draft STI Policy 2023, which to a great extent addresses emerging global and local challenges such as Inadequate Funding for Research and Development (R&D), Weak Linkages Between Research Institutions and Industry, Brain Drain and Retention Issues, Fragmented Institutional Frameworks and Limited Public Awareness and Uptake of Innovation,” PS Shaukat noted.
The PS lauded NACOSTI as it continues to play a central regulatory role such as development of the Kenya National Research Information System (KENRIS), strengthening research ethics oversight, international collaborations and policy advice, accreditation of research institutions, coordinating STI mainstreaming in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), capacity building and training initiatives and regional engagement and sensitization.
The NRF, Shaukat noted, had done extensive research funding and infrastructure development, launched the Kenya National Research Repository (NRR) that will be further developed and enhanced to be the National Science Research and Innovation Observatory, as well as recognized outstanding researchers and upscaled research projects for societal impact.
The Kenya Kwanza Government has taken deliberate steps to embed STI into evidence-informed policymaking and governance.
In a bid to making universities hubs of research and innovation, President William Ruto in March 2025 established the State Department of Science Research and Innovation.
This department, the government hopes, will address the Coordination of the National Science Research and Innovation Policy Implementation, Support Socio-Economic Development through Research, Strengthen Institutional and Legal Frameworks, Enhance Global Competitiveness and International Collaboration and Address Fragmentation in the Research Sector.
The outcomes/impacts of this state department will be the review and development of appropriate science research and innovation strategies, policies and plans, and the operationalization and strengthening of key agencies including Ministries and Departments undertaking science research and innovation activities and projects.
The conference — organised by NACOSTI in collaboration with NRF, KENIA, Konza Technopolis, Engineers Board of Kenya, Sigalagala National Polytechnic, and Wiss Academy for Nature among other key stakeholders — will be held from 9th June to 12th June 2025 at the Lake Naivasha Resort.
The conference offers a timely opportunity to evaluate the current landscape, identify emerging challenges, and explore new avenues for partnerships and innovations that are aligned with national priorities.
“Its deliberations will directly contribute to strengthening the national innovation system (NIS) and enhancing the uptake of research outputs in addressing socio-economic challenges,” the PS noted.
The theme and outcomes of this year’s conference “Research, Technology and Innovation: Impacts, Intellectual Property Protection and Monetization“ are closely aligned with Kenya’s BETA economic transformative agenda and National Development endeavors.
