Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has appointed a selection panel to oversee the recruitment of the Board of Trustees of the National Research Fund (NRF), in a move aimed at strengthening governance and advancing Kenya’s research and innovation agenda.
The appointment, published through a Gazette Notice and effected on January 16, 2026, is anchored in the Science, Technology and Innovation Act (Cap. 511).
Prof. Amina Abubakar will chair the panel, joined by members Caroline C. Kiget, Seth Nyamweya Masese, Jona Wala (FCPA), Jane Mwangi, Prof. Mary Gikungu and Prof. James Kahindi. The panel is tasked with conducting a transparent recruitment process and will be dissolved upon appointment of the new board.
The National Research Fund is a critical national institution mandated to mobilize, manage and disburse financial resources for research, innovation, and capacity building in science, technology and innovation across the country.
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Its core function is to provide grants and financial support to universities, research institutions, innovators and individual researchers to generate knowledge that informs policy, drives economic growth, and addresses national development challenges.
NRF also plays a key role in promoting multidisciplinary and collaborative research, encouraging partnerships between academia, industry, government and international institutions.
The fund supports commercialization of research outputs, ensuring that innovations translate into practical solutions, products, and services that benefit society and enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness.
Additionally, the Fund is responsible for strengthening research infrastructure, developing human capital through scholarships and fellowships and promoting ethical standards and accountability in research.
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By aligning funded research with national priorities such as food security, healthcare, climate resilience, manufacturing and digital transformation, NRF contributes directly to the realization of Kenya’s long-term development goals.
The appointment of a new selection panel signals the government’s commitment to transparency, merit-based leadership and effective stewardship of public resources in the research sector.
The National Research Fund is expected to further enhance innovation, knowledge production and evidence-based decision-making for sustainable national development.
By Our Reporter
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