The National Assembly’s Committee on Education and Research has agreed to support research and tech innovation in education sector.
This was said during a held a meeting with the newly created State Department of Science Research and Innovation on Friday, 27th June 2025 in Nakuru County.
The session centered on exploring how Science, Technology and Innovation, often referred to as STI, explored on how tech can be better integrated into Kenya’s education system and national policies.
Committee chair Mary Emaase, and Member of Parliament for Teso South, emphasized the importance of linking scientific research with policymaking.
“This engagement serves not only as an opportunity for dialogue but also as platform for reaffirming our shared commitment to building a robust well-sourced and policy-aligned Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem in Kenya.” Emaase stated.
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She pointed out that although Kenya aims to allocate at least two percent of its GDP to research and development, the actual funding remains below one percent. This, she said, was a gap that must be addressed urgently to support meaningful innovation.
Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, the Principal Secretary in the State Department of Science Research and Innovation, laid out his department’s ambitions to strengthen Kenya’s economy through research-informed decision-making. He spoke of countries like South Korea that have leveraged science and technology to become high-income economies, urging Kenya to take similar steps.
Prof. Abdulrazak reiterate in his statement that “Either you innovate or you perish,” adding that STI must be at the center of Kenya’s plans under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and Vision 2030. He also revealed that Kenya currently ranks 96th globally on the innovation index, which he described as a challenge that calls for national focus and reform.
The discussion drew wide participation from members of the Committee who expressed support for the State Department’s goals. MPs called for early exposure to research and innovation in schools through the Competency Based Curriculum.
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Igembe North MP, Julius Taitumu said nurturing innovation should begin at a young age, while Mandera South MP Abdul Haro expressed strong optimism, stating that the country’s future will rely heavily on technology. Nyamira County MP Jerusha Momanyi stressed that government decisions must be guided by research, and Moiben MP Prof. Phylis Bartoo called on the State Department to ensure research findings lead to action rather than just reports.
The State Department pledged to develop policies that connect all parts of the education and innovation chain from basic schools to universities and industry partners. Plans include a centralized research database and a unified system for funding research to make the process more efficient.
Prof. Abdulrazak also mentioned efforts to attract resources through partnerships and collaboration with funding agencies. Parliament, on its part, committed to supporting these goals through legislative action, promotion of patent registration, encouragement of innovation, and recognition of researchers whose work impacts local communities.
Together, both arms promised to work closely to turn Kenya into a science-driven society with a strong focus on practical innovation.
By Masaki Enock
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