The Government has intensified efforts to mobilize national support for the upcoming Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation (STRI) 4Society Week 2026 following a high-level stakeholders’ breakfast convened by the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) in Nairobi.
The meeting brought together key players from government, academia, industry, development partners, and the private sector in a bid to strengthen partnerships and unlock investment for the country’s premier platform for science, technology, research, and innovation.
The forum, led by Principal Secretary for Research and Innovation Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, served as a strategic platform to onboard partners and align stakeholders ahead of the national event.
It also marked a significant step in positioning STRI4Society Week as a flagship event that integrates research, policy, industry, and society to drive sustainable development.
Prof. Abdulrazak reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s science and innovation ecosystem as a key driver of economic transformation.
He emphasized the need for increased investment in research and innovation, coupled with accountability to ensure tangible outcomes.
“If Kenya is to leapfrog into a globally competitive economy, we must invest boldly in science, research and innovation and demonstrate real results from these investments,” he said.
He noted that while funding for research and innovation is critical, institutions must also demonstrate the capacity to effectively absorb resources and translate them into practical solutions that benefit society.
He added that Kenya’s expanding network of universities and research institutions provides a solid foundation for scaling innovation.
The stakeholders’ breakfast aimed to catalyse collaboration across the innovation value chain while presenting STRI4Society Week as more than just an event but a national platform for action.
Participants were invited to engage as partners, sponsors, and exhibitors, with discussions highlighting opportunities for visibility, collaboration, and investment within the country’s evolving innovation landscape.
Acting Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI), Dr David Ngigi, underscored the Commission’s role in ensuring quality and relevance in research.
“NACOSTI is committed to ensuring that research and innovation in Kenya meet the highest standards and effectively contribute to national development priorities,” he said.
STRI4Society Week 2026, themed “Igniting Innovation, Bridging Science and Society for Sustainable Development,” is expected to attract more than 5,000 participants at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The event will bring together policymakers, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and international delegates.
The week-long programme will feature high-level policy dialogues, keynote sessions, innovation exhibitions, and platforms that foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
It will also place strong emphasis on youth inclusion through STEM mentorship, innovation challenges, and entrepreneurship initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of innovators.
Prof. Abdulrazak called on stakeholders to take a proactive role in supporting the initiative, stressing that collaboration will be central to unlocking the full potential of Kenya’s science and innovation ecosystem.
“This is our opportunity to showcase what Kenya can achieve when research, policy, and industry work together. STRI4Society Week must become a platform for results, partnerships, and national transformation,” he said.
National Research Fund (NRF) Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between knowledge generation and national development.
“For Kenya to fully realise the value of research, we must strengthen the link between knowledge generation and national development. STRI4Society Week provides a unique platform to showcase research outputs and accelerate their uptake into policy, industry, and society,” he said.
Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tonny Omwansa noted that the platform would play a key role in translating innovation into enterprise and measurable impact.
“STRI4Society Week is a critical platform for translating innovation into enterprise and impact. As KEnIA, we see this as an opportunity to connect innovators with industry, investment, and policy support to scale solutions that address Kenya’s most pressing challenges,” he said.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed strong interest in supporting the initiative through sponsorship, technical collaboration, and in-kind contributions, citing its potential to enhance visibility, partnerships, and national impact.
The Government representatives present emphasized that the success of the platform will depend on sustained engagement beyond the event itself.
The convening comes at a time when countries across the globe are increasingly leveraging science, technology, and innovation to address complex challenges such as climate change, health systems strengthening, food security, and digital transformation.
As Kenya advances its development agenda under Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), STRI4Society Week is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening the innovation ecosystem and accelerating the translation of research into socio-economic development.
By Celestine Lomolijah
