Calls for the need to invest in research and innovation to enhance good security took centre stage during the opening of Kenya National Research Festival 2025 at Egerton University, Njoro main Campus in Nakuru County on Monday August 18, 2025.
The conference is being held under the theme ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security’.
Research Secretary Phyllis Njane who represented Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noted that Kenya’s greatest potential is in the Arid and semi arid lands(ASALs) areas.
She noted that all science, research and innovations should focus on the same.
CS Kagwe in speech read on his behalf by Njane, noted that research is not peripheral to Development, but central.
The theme, the CS noted cements collective believe that Kenya’s Agricultural transformation must be rooted in research and innovations.
With the numerous climate change, Kagwe said the next agriculture frontier must be anchored in science, research and innovations towards transformation of livelihoods through climate resilience actions, value addition, innovation for youth and women.
Expansion of agroecological centres of excellence key, research laboratories support, and strengthening interdisciplinary science he said is key.
The CS was categorical that Research outcomes should translate into real impact to farmers, Kenya’s Agricultural landscapes, supporting pastoralists, pyrethrum farmers, dairy farmers etc.
“Building a knowledge-driven agriculture will greatly rely on sustainable research financing, deep integration between research and higher education, calls for local informed but shared national vision, support innovation ecosystems, evidence based policy making,” he said.
Meanwhile, CS Kagwe urged young people in learning Institutions to embrace research and innovations towards making agriculture cool and help address food security and challenges around the same.
On his part, Principal Secretary Science, Research and Innovations Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak pointed out that the theme for this year’s conference captures Kenya’s moment adding that we have to work towards being competitive globally towards food security.
ASALs and semi arid areas, he noted make 80 percent of Kenya and therefore need to ensure focus is on research and innovation towards addressing challenges of hunger and help improve livelihoods.
“We must dimistify the misconception on science and research inorder to address challenges facing agriculture sector,” he stated.
According to Prof Abdulrazak, there is need for public-private partnership towards funding research and innovation in the country.
He added that the new technology and innovations should be embraced among them nuclear science technology towards improving nutritional value, marketing and food security.
On post-harvest losses in the country, he pointed out that electronic beam technology can help address such.
This, he said can only be achieved through more trainings to young people who will be able to play key role in transformation, partnership with county governments and farmers at grassroot level.
Governance and accountability is also an area that Prof Abdulrazak said should be looked at to ensure ethics in agriculture production to avert negative and health hazards.
The PS urged county governments to also invest in ecological advances.
“To the county governments, kindly go invest in ecological advances that will help address the challenges as per your county,” he said.
The PS revealed that he will be having a sitting will all Vice Chancellors towards blending science, research, and innovations with transformation in the Agriculture sector.
Next year, he noted that there shall be Science, Technology and Innovation Week that will bring everyone on board towards finding solutions to food security.
Principal Secretary Cabinet Affairs Idris Dokota called on delegates attending the conference to aid come up with solutions towards food security.
“Counties should endeavor to come up with policies that will help shape agriculture sector through research, innovations, county fairs and exhibitions. Even though youth make a huge of our population, very few are engaging in agriculture, hence a challenge to all as a country to push towards ensuring young people are in board,” said the PS.
The PS reiterated the need for investment in science and innovation towards food security.
National Research Fund(NRF) CEO Prof Dickson Andala lauded Egerton University for prudent use of funds given to the institution towards research and innovation.
He revealed that this was reason behind the institution being chose as host of the event.
“The funding to Egerton University has been used prudently, hence the reason why we chose to hold the Kenya National Research Festival 2025 at the Institution,” he said.
The CEO reiterated the need for incorporating young people in matters agriculture through innovation.
Egerton Vice Chancellor Prof Isaac Kibwage who is the host of the event, termed it a monumental achievement to the institution.
“This is a monumental achievement to host this event here at Egerton which has continued to play key role in matters research and innovation in agriculture. We pride in generating knowledge through our various disciplines,” he stated.
The Egerton University VC while noting that the biggest asset in the country is young people, called for the urgent need to empower them.
According to him, the young people need to be encouraged to venture into agriculture through innovations and research.
He added that the five-day festival builds a bridge between farmers, researchers and collaborators, sharing ideas on value added products and value chains.
This even as the VC noted that Resources still remain a challenge in research Institutions with calls on government to ensure the requirement of 2 percent of GDP going to research and innovation is adhered to.
Currently, only less than 1 percent of GDP goes to the research and innovation.
“In most cases we produce research outputs but with funding from external partners and not government. The government should up and support the research funding in our institutions of higher learning,” he stated.
He noted that some of the funding bodies have withdrawn leaving institutions to suffer.
The visiting VCs called for the need for timely funding towards research.
The opening ceremony of the Kenya National Research Festival 2025 was also graced by Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones.
Governor Kihika through a speech read by DG Kones, lauded National Research Fund and Egerton University for working with county government to stage the conference.
“This is more than an event, but a reaffirmation of our shared knowledge towards food security,” stated Kihika.
The Governor noted that Agriculture is key in Nakuru County adding that there is need for innovation, and embracing technology for production.
She reiterated the importance of research in eliminating some of the challenges facing the county and country.
The Governor also highlighted some of the milestone that the county government has made in boosting agriculture, among them subsided fertilizer, seedlings distribution, collaboration with National Government on edible oil crops through distribution of canola oil seeds and sunflower, besides transformation of livestock sector and expansion of blue economy in Lake Naivasha.
The county has also focused on the extension services through partnerships.
The Kenya National Research Festival 2025 will run through to Friday August 22, 2025.