The government has urged researchers to enhance the commercialization of their innovations to stimulate significant economic growth in the country. Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, emphasized that while Kenyan researchers have developed numerous innovations, few are available for public use.
He stressed the need for researchers to step out of their intellectual comfort zones and engage directly with end-users, such as farmers and the manufacturing sector, to foster long-term economic growth. Koskei, speaking at the Kenya National Research Festival 2024 (KNRF 2024) in Nairobi, called on scientists to proactively communicate their research and fast-track strategies for monetizing their work.
He highlighted that research is crucial for transforming curiosity into knowledge and knowledge into actionable power.
Koskei pointed out that the festival arrives at a pivotal moment as the government seeks to shift towards a knowledge-based economy, providing a platform for fostering insightful discussions, promoting collaboration, and strengthening both domestic and international partnerships. Prof. Dickson Andala, CEO of NRF, underscored the festival’s role in driving national development through research.
He noted NRF’s success in translating over 60 research outputs into commercial products and services, including high-yield Sahiwaal cattle by the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) and innovative assistive technologies from Meru University of Science and Technology.
