Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, during the official opening of the Kenya National Research Festival 2024 in Nairobi.
Kenya is marking a significant milestone in its research and innovation journey as the National Science & Technology Exhibition, themed “Developing Sustainable Solutions for Climate Change,” officially kicked off this week. The event, which is now in its 7th year, is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists while highlighting the critical role research plays in driving the country’s socio-economic development.
Bringing together a diverse group of researchers, educators, and innovators, the festival serves as a platform to showcase the country’s rapidly evolving research landscape. With 200 students and 100 teachers from 390 schools, including special needs and refugee schools, the exhibition is a celebration of talent and creativity. An additional 1,300 students will participate virtually, reflecting the event’s wide reach and its goal to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, underscored the importance of the event in fostering meaningful discourse and promoting growth through knowledge exchange. He highlighted the necessity of partnerships and collaboration in research, which are essential for generating impactful products and driving socio-economic transformation. However, he also noted that there is still a need for greater private sector engagement to fully capitalize on the country’s research potential.
Principal Secretary of the State Department of Higher Education, Beatrice Inyangala, echoed Koskei’s sentiments, praising the festival for extending science communication beyond traditional settings and engaging the public through informal platforms like science cafes and public lectures. Inyangala emphasized the festival’s role in improving lives and building skills, which ultimately contributes to Kenya’s economic transformation and global scientific progress.
As Kenya aims to increase its research expenditure from 0.4% to 2% of GDP, this festival is more than just an event—it’s a call to action. It urges policymakers, academics, and the private sector to support research as a tool to unlock Kenya’s full potential for a sustainable and innovation-driven future.
The festival also serves as a moment of reflection on the next steps for the National Research Fund. Inyangala stressed the importance of scaling activities and enhancing efforts in capacity building to produce skilled researchers capable of driving the value chains that will fulfill the promise of Kenya’s economic transformation.
The National Science & Technology Exhibition is not only a showcase of Kenya’s research talent but a catalyst for the nation’s socio-economic growth. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the event paves the way for addressing pressing challenges like climate change while contributing to global scientific advancements.
