Egerton University hosted a high-level policy roundtable on 20 August 2025 during the Kenya National Research Festival, bringing together senior government officials, university leaders, and parliamentarians to deliberate on a proposed master plan for research funding and capacity strengthening.
The session was officially opened by Prof. James K. Sang, Chair of Egerton University Council, who welcomed the delegation led by National Research Fund (NRF) Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala. Prof. Sang, drawing on his four decades of experience as a faculty member at Moi University, expressed confidence that the team present was well placed to guide the country’s research agenda.
Council Chair Prof. J. K. Sang delivers his remarks during the roundtable
Egerton Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaac Kibwage underscored the urgent need for the government to increase investment in research. He noted that although food and nutrition security remained a national concern, there was insufficient focus on locally driven solutions. He also raised concern over the continued subdivision of arable land, a trend that undermines large-scale food production, and urged development partners to channel resources through NACOSTI and NRF, institutions best positioned to respond to local priorities.
The meeting observed that Kenya currently allocates only about 2 percent of its GDP to research, a figure that stakeholders argued must be increased if the country is to make meaningful progress in science and technology. Participants also pointed to weak linkages between universities, research institutions, media, and parliamentary committees—gaps that hinder research dissemination and uptake into policy.
Delegates follow proceedings during the high-level policy roundtable.
To help bridge this divide, three members of the National Assembly’s Committee on Education Hon. Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo (Moiben) and Hon. Dick Oyugi (Luanda) joined the discussions. Their presence signaled an effort to strengthen engagement between universities and policymakers.
Other notable participants included Nakuru County CEC for Agriculture Leonard Bor, acting Director General of NACOSTI Dr. David Ngigi, Prof. Julius K. Maiyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation) at Kibabii University, Emmeline Skinner Innovation Advisor at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), and Prof. Nzula Kitaka, Egerton’s Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization. Prof. Kitaka, a long-time advocate for greater research investment, reinforced the need for government and partners to prioritize funding as the foundation for innovation and national development.
Prof. Nzula Kitaka, Director of Marketing and Resource Mobilization
The roundtable was one of the highlights of the Kenya National Research Festival 2025, a week-long event hosted at Egerton University under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security.” The discussions laid the groundwork for a coordinated national approach to research investment, with participants agreeing that building stronger partnerships and increasing funding will be key to unlocking Kenya’s scientific potential.
Hon. Prof. Phylis Bartoo
