Gov’t creates a new department in the Education Ministry

The government has established a new department in the Ministry of Education to cater for the Science, Research, and Innovation in the higher education docket.

The establishment of the new state department comes just a day after President Ruto announced his intention to create a dedicated unit for research and innovation.

Speaking at Riara University while awarding it a charter, Ruto highlighted the government’s commitment to enhancing higher education and fostering innovation.

“I am seriously considering a state department to deal specifically with research, development, and innovation as a way of ensuring that we grow that space because of the tremendous opportunity that exists in innovation and research,” Ruto said.

in the recent Permanent Secretary, reshuffle, the President appointed Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat as the Principal Secretary to the newly created department, who brings on board his over 30 years of experience as a professor, university administrator and advisor on science, technology, and innovation (STI) matters.

Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat until his appointment served as the Director of the Division for Africa at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

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He also previously served as the CEO of the Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation from 2008 to 2014.

His past roles include vice-chancellor of Umma University, deputy vice-chancellor at Egerton University, governor of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), and chairperson of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute.

He has also been a board member of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and a member of the Kenya National Economic and Social Council.

Abdulrazak is a fellow of the World Academy of Sciences, the African Academy of Sciences and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences. He has published extensively in international journals, scientific conferences and symposium proceedings.

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His academic background includes undergraduate studies at Egerton University, a master’s and PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Aberdeen, UK and a postdoctoral fellowship at Shimane University, Japan.

By the creation of the third department in the Education Ministry results to the three PSs who will oversee key state departments.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Basic Education  Prof Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Beatrice Muganda Inyangala and Principal Secretary in the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof Abdulrazak Shaukat.

Prof. Bitok, who previously served as the principal secretary for Immigration, has swapped positions with Belio Kipsang.

By Brian Ndigo