Calls for investment in science, tech as National Research Festival kicks off in Nakuru

The five-day event is taking place at Egerton University’s Njoro campus under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.”

It brings together policymakers, academics, farmers, and development partners for discussions, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing aimed at transforming the country’s food systems.

During the opening ceremony on Monday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said research is at the heart of Kenya’s development strategy and urged scientists and innovators to direct efforts toward arid and semi-arid lands.

He called for stronger agroecological centres, expanded research laboratories, and deeper collaboration between institutions and higher education, stressing that farmers and pastoralists must feel the impact of research outcomes.

“Building a knowledge-driven agriculture will greatly rely on sustainable research financing, evidence-based policymaking, and support for innovation ecosystems,” Kagwe said.

On his part, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Shaukat Abdulrazak pointed out that more than 80 percent of Kenya’s land is arid or semi-arid, making innovation critical for food security and livelihoods.

He urged counties to invest in ecological solutions and pledged to work with university vice chancellors to strengthen the link between research and agricultural transformation.

Abdulrazak also encouraged adoption of modern technologies, including nuclear science applications for nutrition and electronic beam technology to reduce post-harvest losses.

Similarly, National Research Fund (NRF) CEO Dickson Andala highlighted the fund’s impact since inception, noting that more than Ksh.7 billion has been invested by the national government and bilateral partners to support 400 research projects, 19 research infrastructures, and over 700 postgraduate students.

“In agriculture alone, NRF has funded over 100 projects ranging from crop yield improvement to livestock management and sustainable farming practices,” he said.

Egerton University has received Ksh.152.9 million from NRF for several projects, including the Ksh.39 million Safe Food Reference Laboratory Infrastructure, which tests for heavy metals, antibiotic residues, and pathogens in food to boost consumer confidence in local and international markets.

This year’s festival, which runs until Friday, August 22, hosts more than 1,000 farmers from across Nakuru County with field demonstrations, exhibitions, keynote speeches, panel discussions, training sessions, poster presentations, and innovation pitches.

Organisers say its goal is to close the  gap between research findings and grassroots adoption.