The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KNIA) has challenged universities across the country to sharpen their competitive edge in innovation as part of efforts to position institutions of higher learning as drivers of economic growth and problem-solving.
The call comes as the Network of Entrepreneurial Institution Leaders rolls out a nationwide student innovation challenge aimed at identifying, mentoring and supporting- promising young innovators from universities and colleges across the country.
Speaking during the Innovation Week at Maasai Mara University, KNIA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tonny Omwansa said the initiative seeks to create healthy competition among universities while encouraging institutions to align innovation with real-world solutions.
Dr. Omwansa noted that universities must move beyond theoretical teaching and instead focus on building innovation ecosystems capable of addressing pressing societal and economic challenges.
“The challenge is meant to inspire universities to become more intentional in identifying their areas of strength and using them to solve problems affecting communities,” he said.
He observed that Maasai Mara University is strategically positioned to benefit from the programme due to its strong background in tourism, environmental resource management and conservation studies.
According to Dr. Omwansa, institutions that successfully establish a niche gain recognition for their distinctive capabilities and are better placed to attract partnerships, investment and research opportunities.
“A niche is not just about what a university teaches. It is about what the institution is consistently recognized for, resourced to do and capable of applying to solve societal challenges,” he explained.
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The KNIA boss urged the university to deepen its expertise by investing in specialized infrastructure, strengthening academic programmes and adopting a deliberate strategy towards capacity building.
He further disclosed that students participating in the innovation challenge are currently undergoing intensive training under a start-up school programme aimed at equipping them with entrepreneurial and innovation skills.
“We want students to move from simply generating ideas to developing viable innovations that can be commercialized and scaled up,” Dr. Omwansa said.
He also challenged the institution to critically assess its ecosystem positioning, saying universities must understand how industry and government can leverage their expertise for national development.
“Institutions must ask themselves how industry players and government agencies can utilize their strengths in solving practical challenges. That is the essence of innovation ecosystems,” he added.
Dr. Omwansa identified precision agriculture as one of the key innovation areas with immense potential in Kenya, particularly through the use of census and satellite data to improve farming practices.
He said innovation in drought-resistant and indigenous crops could significantly improve food security while promoting environmental conservation.
“These innovations will not only improve yields, but also restore soil health and biodiversity,” he noted.
The Innovation Week brought together students, researchers, innovators, development partners and industry stakeholders to showcase projects and discuss ways of strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship in higher learning institutions.
In her remarks, Prof. Peninah Oloo described the innovation week as a major milestone for the university and a turning point in advancing creativity, research and practical solutions.
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“This initiative provides a platform for students to showcase their ideas, for researchers to present groundbreaking work and for partners to witness the transformative power of collaboration,” she said.
Prof. Oloo emphasized that innovation should not be viewed as something confined to classrooms or laboratories but rather as a culture embedded within institutions and communities.
“Innovation is not just confined to laboratories or lecture halls, but it lives in our students’ ideas, our researchers’ work and the partnerships we build across borders,” she said.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the university’s growing partnership with the Kenya National Innovation Agency, saying the collaboration has opened opportunities for benchmarking and training in countries such as India, Denmark and South Africa.
She said the experiences gained from the international engagements have informed the development of the university’s entrepreneurial commercialization master plan.
According to Prof. Oloo, the strategy is anchored on five major pillars, including innovative leadership, enhanced collaboration between academia and industry, increased financial support for start-ups, establishment of an innovation hub and entrepreneurial education focused on mentorship and capacity building.
“We are committed to producing graduates who are job creators rather than job seekers. This marks a deliberate effort to embed innovation into the culture of our institution,” she stated.
She further noted that innovation and entrepreneurship are becoming increasingly important in addressing unemployment and equipping young people with practical skills needed in a rapidly changing global economy.
Stakeholders attending the event welcomed the initiative, saying universities have a critical role to play in driving sustainable development through research, innovation and technology transfer.
Students participating in the challenge expressed optimism that the programme would expose them to mentorship opportunities, funding networks and partnerships capable of turning their ideas into viable enterprises.
The week-long innovation event is expected to catalyze fresh ideas, strengthen collaboration between academia and industry and reinforce Maasai Mara University’s position as a key player in advancing sustainable innovation in Kenya and beyond.
By Kimutai Langat
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