The Ministry of Education engaged external stakeholders in validating the first Draft Science Technology and Innovation (STI) policy.
The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Muganda Inyangala, underscored the milestone that Kenya has never had a National STI policy since independence and, therefore, the need to reflect on the crucial role played by science, technology, and innovation in the social and economic development of our country.
In a speech read on his behalf by Secretary Administration, Mr. Fredrick Ndambuki, Dr. Inyangala observed that the key Government document, brings out competencies and opportunities for technological learning, particularly within industry and business enterprises, ensuring there is a conducive policy environment for STI to thrive.
“The initiative to have an STI framework in place can be traced back to the National Development Plan (1970–1974), which was based on the recognition of the important role that STIs play in the country’s social and economic development,” noted Dr. Inyangala.
The PS pointed out that other subsequent plans came before the Science and Technology Act (CAP 250) of 1977, which was repealed by enacting the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act of 2013, which focuses on STI policy, as enshrined in the Constitution, on the right to access information and scientific research as fundamental rights.
The Kenya Vision 2030 blueprint recognises STI, as a key enabler, that is expected to drive the national development agenda, by ensuring that all sectors of the economy have access to new technologies and adequate knowledge in order to increase productivity and efficiency.
The STI Policy is geared towards the realisation of the country’s long-term development goal of Vision 2030 in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which recognises that true economic growth starts by empowering grassroots communities, fostering innovation, and leveraging on the transformative power of STI.
She added that the objectives of the STI Policy guide the identification of science and technology sector priorities, rationalise and restructure STI institutions, develop mechanisms for sustainable financial resource mobilisation, and enhance the quality and capacity of human resources.
“The STI policy re-aligns education and training programmes to national goals and industry needs, strengthens STI infrastructure, facilitates the development and growth of technology-based enterprises, and promotes a culture of STI in the country,” said Dr. Inyangala. In addition, the objectives will be achieved by creating an enabling environment that supports talents and creativity, as well as having effective networks and linkages for knowledge generation and sharing nationally, regionally, and internationally.
Although there are other sector-specific policies and legal frameworks such as the KALRO Act 2019, the Biosafety Act 2009, and the and the University Act 2012, among others, the PS said, the STI Policy will be the overarching framework and a national policy guiding the research, science, technology, and innovation ecosystem in Kenya.
“This policy covers a broad range of topics, including industry and globalisation, innovation and entrepreneurship, scientific research and development, and emerging technologies.
The STI Policy focuses on facilitating the transformation of the economy from a factor-based to a knowledge-based economy. The end result of the policy is to mainstream STI into all sectors through the generation, acquisition, dissemination, and utilisation of available capacities.
After the external Stakeholders’ Validation Workshop, the document will be shared with the Parliamentary Committee on Education for input and comments before being forwarded to the Cabinet for approval.
By Joseph Kamolo Mutua
