Last week I led a Kenyan delegation to the United Kingdom for a knowledge-sharing and partnership programme focused on strengthening Kenya’s science, research and innovation ecosystem. The visit was more than an exchange of ideas. It was about learning from experience, building institutional capabilities, and identifying practical pathways for Kenya and the UK to work together to translate knowledge into innovation, enterprise, and societal impact.
At the heart of the engagement was a simple question — How do we make science work better for society? Building on the Science, Research and Technology and Innovation for Society week we held earlier this year in Nairobi.
For Kenya, strengthening the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation (SDSRI) as a policy and coordination centre while deepening the connections among universities, research institutions, industry, government, investors and communities is vital. Our discussions in the UK demonstrated the importance of an ecosystem approach in which every actor has a role to play.
Science Diplomacy as a Bridge Between Nations
One important lesson was the strategic role of science diplomacy. Science is increasingly a bridge between nations, creating opportunities for cooperation even where conventional diplomatic channels may have limitations. Kenya must therefore position science, technology and innovation as an important instrument of our international relations, economic diplomacy and national development.
We also examined the role of scientific advisers in government. Good policy requires access to credible scientific evidence, particularly as governments confront complex challenges involving artificial intelligence, climate change, health, food security and emerging technologies. Strengthening Kenya’s scientific advisory capabilities can help ensure that evidence informs policy, investment and national priorities. Providing scientific advice on emerging technologies and emergency issues, such as Ebola, is essential.
Science Communication and Public Engagement
Additionally, knowledge creation must be accompanied by science communication and socialisation. Science cannot remain confined to laboratories, universities and scientific journals. Citizens must understand how science and technology affect their lives. Young people should see scientists and innovators as role models. Communities should participate in defining the problems that research seeks to solve. We discussed how we can partner on this, including capacity building for science journalists.
Also Read: Why Science Diplomacy Must Drive the Next Era of Development
I advocate for science communication to become an integral part of Kenya’s STI ecosystem. Museums, schools, universities, media, digital platforms and public institutions all have a role in making science accessible, understandable and relevant to society. We saw this clearly when we visited the Royal Academy. The Kenya National Academy of Sciences has important work to do the demystify science and technology.
From Research to Commercialisation and Innovation Clusters
Another lesson is that research must move more effectively towards application. As a country, we are advancing an innovation accelerator toward a commercialisation scheme that takes promising research through proof of concept, intellectual property protection, technical validation, industry partnerships, investment readiness, and market entry. We are on that trajectory, but we need to scale.
This calls for stronger university–industry partnerships. Universities should not only generate knowledge; they should increasingly become platforms for innovation, entrepreneurship and problem-solving. Industry, in turn, should help define research priorities and provide pathways for technologies to reach users.
The development of innovation clusters offers one practical approach. Clusters can bring together universities, research institutions, companies, investors and government around shared capabilities, infrastructure and markets. Kenya can develop focused clusters in areas such as AI, biotechnology, health, agriculture, climate and clean energy, the blue economy and advanced manufacturing. Interaction with Midlands Innovation and university colleagues provided strong examples to emulate. The bioeconomy cluster is a low-hanging fruit that we are already implementing as we consider other clusters.
Building Capabilities, Financing and AI for Public Good
Another approach is through Research Chairs and the Kenya Grand Challenge, which can help build deep capabilities in strategic areas, attract global expertise and nurture the next generation of scientists and innovators. They should align with national priorities and strengthen Kenya’s long-term capabilities.
The UK engagement also reinforced the importance of domestic financing. International partnerships are vital, but they must complement, not replace, national investment in research and innovation. Sustainable STI development requires predictable domestic financing, supported by public-private partnerships and international collaboration.
Artificial intelligence presents a particularly important opportunity. Kenya and the UK can deepen cooperation on AI for the public good, applying emerging technologies to healthcare, agriculture, education, climate resilience, public services, and scientific discovery, while maintaining responsible governance, data stewardship, and inclusion.
Diaspora, Co-creation and Measuring Real Impact
Our Kenyan diaspora in the UK is an equally important component of this ecosystem. The diaspora possesses scientific expertise, entrepreneurial experience, professional networks and access to global markets. We should create practical mechanisms for joint research, mentoring, doctoral and staff exchanges, technology transfer, industry linkages and investment.
The Kenya–UK partnership therefore offers an opportunity to move from conventional knowledge exchange towards co-creation and capability building. The objective should be lasting institutional relationships, not isolated projects.
Leadership will be critical. Collaboration requires trust, clear priorities, institutional ownership and the willingness to move from dialogue to implementation.
Ultimately, Kenya’s ambition must be to build an STI ecosystem where government provides leadership and an enabling policy environment; universities and research institutions generate knowledge; industry commercialises solutions; investors provide capital; international partners expand capabilities; the diaspora connects Kenya to global expertise; and society helps define the problems science must solve.
The future of Kenya–UK science diplomacy should therefore be measured not only by the number of meetings held or research papers produced, but by the capabilities we build, the innovations we commercialise, the young people we inspire and the lives we improve.
Bottom line: Science must move from the laboratory to society, from knowledge to innovation, and from partnership to lasting impact. As we plan beyond Vision 2030, technology and innovation become a catalyst.
Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary, Science, Research and Innovation, wrote this article. He can be reached at [email protected].
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