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Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak says inadequate funding is preventing many innovations from progressing.
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Research seen as key to economic transformation, industrialisation and job creation.
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Government says investment in innovation will help address climate change, food security, healthcare and education challenges.
By John Kamau
In laboratories tucked away in universities, research institutions and innovation hubs across Kenya, thousands of ideas are waiting for a chance.
Some could help farmers increase yields in the face of climate change.
Others could unlock new medical breakthroughs, improve education outcomes or create technologies capable of generating jobs for a growing population.
Yet many of these ideas never progress beyond the drawing board.
The reason, experts say, is not a lack of talent or ambition. It is a lack of funding.
That reality came into sharp focus this week as the government renewed calls for Kenya to significantly increase investment in science, research and innovation, arguing that the country’s long-term economic transformation will depend on its ability to generate and commercialise new knowledge.
Speaking during Zetech University’s Eighth Research and Innovation Week in Juja, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak said Kenya should raise funding for research, technology and innovation from the current 0.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to at least 2 per cent.
According to the PS, increasing investment in research is critical if Kenya is to compete globally and develop sustainable solutions to emerging social and economic challenges.
“The Kenya Kwanza Government under President William Ruto is keen on investing in knowledge, creativity, technology and innovation,” said Prof Shaukat.
He noted that the government is working with development partners and institutions of higher learning to mobilise additional resources, acknowledging that research and innovation require diverse and sustainable funding streams.
“We are optimistic that through partnerships, at university-to-university level and with our development partners, we will be able to raise sufficient funding for research in our country,” he said.
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The call comes at a time when countries around the world are increasingly investing in scientific research to drive economic growth, industrialisation and technological advancement.
Experts argue that nations that consistently invest in research are often better positioned to address challenges ranging from food security and healthcare to climate resilience and job creation.
Prof Shaukat said the government has already embraced evidence-based policymaking and is looking to universities and research institutions to provide the data and findings needed to inform national decisions.
“We want to widen the scope of research to include medical, agricultural, educational among other spheres because research and innovation is the key driver to a sustainable future,” he said.
Beyond funding, the PS emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between researchers and industry players, arguing that innovation only achieves its full potential when ideas are translated into practical solutions that can be commercialised and scaled.
He observed that industry, innovation and infrastructure must work hand in hand if the country is to achieve meaningful transformation.
“When these three align, we create ecosystems where ideas are not only generated but also implemented, adopted and sustained,” he said.
The theme of this year’s research week, Driving Sustainable Futures Through Research, Innovation and Industry, reflected the growing recognition that universities cannot work in isolation if research is to have a tangible impact on society.
Prof Shaukat argued that research institutions generate knowledge while industry provides the pathway for application, scaling and commercialisation.
“The synergy between research and industry is what ultimately determines the impact of innovation,” he said.
“Research institutions like Zetech University are there to generate knowledge, while industry provides the platform for application, scaling and commercialisation. When these two work in harmony, we bridge the longstanding gap between ideas and implementation, and we accelerate the journey from innovation to impact.”
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His sentiments were echoed by Zetech University Chancellor Prof Susan Alfano Nkinyangi, who said Kenya must deliberately shift more resources towards science, technology, research and innovation if it hopes to secure a sustainable future.
She noted that societies across the globe are grappling with increasingly complex challenges, including climate change, technological disruption, food insecurity, healthcare inequalities and rapidly evolving labour markets.
“Addressing these challenges requires more than ambition; it requires knowledge, innovation and collaboration,” she said.
“Most importantly, it requires institutions of higher learning that are prepared to generate solutions that transcend borders.”
The event brought together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and development partners, highlighting a growing consensus that Kenya’s future competitiveness will largely depend on how effectively it harnesses knowledge and innovation.
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