Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)

This morning, I had the honour of delivering a keynote address during the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation (STRI) for Society Week 2026 at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC), where I joined my PS colleague from the State Department for Science Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukhat Abdurazak, PhD, CBS, alongside distinguished leaders, researchers, innovators, academia, development partners, and industry stakeholders in advancing the national conversation on the transformative role of science in society. Under the theme “Igniting Innovation: Bridging Science for Sustainable Development,” I emphasized that science, technology, research, and innovation must move beyond laboratories and academic publications to directly address the everyday challenges facing our people. In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, climate challenges, food insecurity, unemployment, healthcare pressures, and digital disruption, science must become a practical tool for improving livelihoods, strengthening institutions, and driving inclusive development. The Government remains firmly committed to positioning Science, Technology, Research and Innovation as a strategic pillar for national transformation under Kenya Vision 2030, the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV), and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Through these frameworks, we continue to prioritize innovation, industrialization, digital transformation, and knowledge-driven development as key enablers of economic resilience and sustainable growth. I underscored the importance of aligning research and innovation with national priorities and societal needs. Scientific research must increasingly focus on practical solutions in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, education, environmental sustainability, water management, energy, and public service delivery. Equally important is strengthening collaboration between government, academia, industry, and communities to ensure research outputs are translated into scalable enterprises, policy solutions, and measurable impact for citizens. I also called for more inclusive innovation ecosystems that empower youth, women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. Kenya’s youthful population remains one of our greatest assets, and we must continue investing in STEM education, digital literacy, innovation hubs, incubation centres, mentorship programmes, and accessible financing that unlock the immense creativity and entrepreneurial potential of our young innovators across the country. As Kenya embraces the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including Artificial Intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, big data, and advanced manufacturing, we must position ourselves not merely as consumers of technology, but as creators, innovators, and regional leaders in knowledge-driven development. Ultimately, the true measure of science is not the quantity of knowledge produced, but the quality of transformation delivered within society. Science must improve livelihoods, create jobs, strengthen healthcare systems, protect the environment, and support sustainable national development for the benefit of all Kenyans. #STRI2026 #ScienceForSociety #Innovation #Research #Technology #BETA #Kenya #STEM #DigitalTransformation #YouthInnovation #SustainableDe