The National Research Fund (NRF) in partnership with Egerton University are set to host the second edition of the Kenya National Research Festival (KNRF) to explore cutting-edge advancements in sustainable agriculture and food security.
The festival themed “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security, Empowering Communities through Research, Science, Technology and Innovation” is set to bring on board researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators and is set to run from August 18th to August 22nd August this year.
As Nakuru County prepares to host the Kenya National Research Festival 2025, Governor Susan Kihika has assured that preparations are on top gear to ensure active participation by local farmers, researchers, students, and county officials.
Governor Kihika indicated that the event was expected to strengthen research uptake, encourage inter-county partnerships, and support long-term strategies for food and nutrition security.
She affirmed that her administration continues to prioritize research, innovation, and strategic partnerships in driving agricultural transformation and economic growth across all its 55 wards.
Kihika emphasized on the need for advancing research and education in Kenya, celebrating research achievements and nurturing a thriving research ecosystem across all levels of education.
She noted that the event represented a significant milestone dedicated to fostering growth through the exchange of knowledge among professionals within the research community.
While voicing her support to the initiative, the governor explained that the platform would be critical in cultivating relevant and insightful discussions, promoting synergies, and strengthening both domestic and international collaborations.
Kihika observed that in today’s rapidly evolving world, it was crucial to enhance the effectiveness of research science communication to tackle pressing global challenges.
“Research is a disciplined journey that transforms curiosity into knowledge and knowledge into power,” she added.
According to the National Research Fund, the thematic areas of the festival in addition to agriculture will include research themes related to climate change, food nutrition, economic resilience, and technology adoption at the grassroots level.
The festival will also have a session where Counties will share experiences on how they are using research to support sustainable development and service delivery.
Egerton University was selected to co-host the event following a strategic meeting at its Njoro Main Campus where the institution’s senior management, led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Bernard Aduda met with NRF Chief Executive Officer Professor Dickson Andala and his team.
The University Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics, Research and Extension Professor Bernard Aduda explained that the festival was aimed at highlighting Kenya’s dynamic research and innovation environment by presenting ground-breaking projects and opportunities for young and established scientists alike.
Researchers from all levels, including those from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates, postdocs, and lead researchers, have been invited to submit abstracts and poster presentations, the don added.
Prof. Aduda was happy that the partnership had now solidified Egerton University’s commitment to advancing research and innovation, particularly in agriculture and food security, which he said was the main theme of the upcoming festival.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone, as the first edition of the Research Festival was held in Nairobi and moving the event to Nakuru, further strengthens Egerton University’s role as a hub for research excellence,” Professor Aduda pointed out.
The don indicated that the event would provide an ideal platform for the research community to showcase their latest findings that address societal challenges in an ever-evolving world.
He further said that the festival would encourage collaboration on both domestic and international fronts, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research that would further foster robust leadership in research and enhance the overall research culture in Kenya.
The inaugural event, hosted by NRF from August 19th to August 23, 2024 was held at Edge Convention Centre, located at the College of Insurance, at South B Nairobi.
The National Research Fund was established under the Science, Technology and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013, mandated to mobilize, allocate and manage financial resources to facilitate research for advancing science, technology, and innovation.
According to NRF Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala, the Kenya National Research Festival was designed to raise awareness of the diverse range of research activities within the country and beyond, focusing on initiatives that contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prof. Andala indicated that the event aims to contribute to Kenya’s development agenda by promoting research-led innovations and technologies that directly impact communities and enhance agricultural value chains.
The upcoming festival is expected to feature exhibitions, panel discussions, technical workshops, and farmer engagement forums. These activities, the organizers say, will create opportunities for researchers to present findings, for farmers to access new technologies, and for policymakers to discuss the integration of research into county development plans.
Various stakeholders have hailed the establishment of the National Research Festival as a milestone because it serves as a public engagement with science, advocates for a shift towards two-way dialogue, brings together diverse participants and enhances learning and skills.
By Esther Mwangi and Mary Ochieng
