In a world where climate change threatens to upend global food systems, Kenya is charting a bold path forward.
As the nation grapples with rising food insecurity—exacerbated by droughts, erratic weather patterns, and resource scarcity—the government is ramping up investments in science, technology, and innovation (STI) to fortify agricultural resilience and ensure no one goes hungry.
This commitment was vividly showcased at the second edition of the Kenya National Research Festival (KNRF), held from August 19-23, 2025, at Egerton University in Njoro, Nakuru County.
Under the theme “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Empowering Communities through Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation,” the event brought together top scholars, policymakers, farmers, and innovators to transform research into actionable solutions for one of Africa’s most pressing challenges.
Government’s Strategic Shifts: From Policy to Practical Impact
At the heart of Kenya’s strategy is a deliberate pivot toward harnessing STI to address food security and climate vulnerabilities. Principal Secretary for Science, Research, and Innovation, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, outlined five pivotal shifts during his keynote address at the festival.
These include prioritizing national agricultural missions, ensuring research yields tangible, on-the-ground solutions, cultivating robust talent pipelines, forging stronger public-private partnerships, and integrating blended financing models to accelerate the commercialization of innovations.
Prof. Shaukat emphasized how these shifts could revolutionize Kenya’s agri-food systems. He highlighted advancements in renewable energy—such as solar, wind, biofuel, hydropower, and geothermal sources—as critical tools for environmental stewardship.
Coupled with community-driven reforestation efforts and cutting-edge waste management systems, these innovations promise to safeguard vital resources like land, water, and vegetation.
“These measures are foundational to transforming our agri-food systems,” Prof. Shaukat asserted, underscoring that a healthier environment directly bolsters sustainable agriculture.
In an era of unpredictable natural disasters, technology emerges as a lifeline. Prof. Shaukat noted that STI enables proactive anticipatory actions and swift responses, fostering resilience and driving rural transformation.
This, in turn, uplifts smallholder farmers and vulnerable communities, ensuring they thrive rather than merely survive.
Agriculture, he reminded attendees, remains Kenya’s economic backbone and a major employer, with immense potential for youth involvement through digital farming, agro-processing, and eco-friendly practices.
The Kenya National Research Festival: A Hub for Collaborative Breakthroughs
The KNRF, organized by the National Research Fund (NRF) with support from Egerton University and the Nakuru County Government, served as a dynamic platform for these ideas.
Building on the inaugural event held in Nairobi from August 19-23, 2024, at the Edge Convention Centre, this year’s festival expanded its scope to include panel discussions, technical workshops, and interactive forums uniting policymakers, researchers, and farmers.
Exhibitions and presentations delved into multifaceted issues, from food security and nutrition to climate adaptation, affordable housing, health, economic resilience, and technological integration.
Prof. Shaukat urged participants to transcend traditional “projects” and embrace ambitious missions that bridge the gap between lab discoveries and real-world applications. “Food security isn’t just about averting hunger—it’s about dignity, competitiveness, and unlocking opportunities for every farmer and innovator,” he declared.
Vivid examples illustrated this vision: A farmer in Makueni County doubling crop yields with drought-tolerant seeds, or young entrepreneurs deploying solar-powered cold chains to slash post-harvest losses.
Youth-led innovations, including mobile apps for tailored agricultural advice, drone-assisted precision farming with sensors, and e-commerce platforms for produce, are reshaping the sector.
These initiatives not only boost productivity but also pave the way for economic empowerment, particularly among Kenya’s vibrant younger generation.
Confronting Challenges: Climate Change and Food Insecurity in Focus
Experts at the festival unanimously agreed that while agriculture holds the key to food security, it faces formidable hurdles.
Climate change, water scarcity, shrinking arable land, soil degradation, and rural-to-urban migration are eroding gains in food production. To counter these, scholars advocated shifting beyond mere policy reforms to embrace innovation as the core driver of change.
NRF Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dickson Andala, in his compelling presentation, stressed the need for targeted investments in technology to unlock access to data, markets, and financial services.
“If harnessed effectively, research and innovation can propel Kenya toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2: ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture,” he explained.
This, Prof. Andala added, could ignite rural development, enhance climate resilience, generate jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
Climate change was singled out as the paramount threat to African food systems. Prof. Andala warned that without an integrated approach—leveraging local innovations and technology—Africa’s quest for a sustainable green revolution would falter.
Drawing on sobering 2024 reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, he highlighted the global crisis: An estimated 10.7% of the world’s population—864 million people—faced food insecurity, with Africa bearing 58% of this burden. In Eastern Africa, the figure has surged by 50 million since 2019.
Closer to home, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 2024 Global Report on Food Crises painted a grim picture for the sub-region. Approximately 63 million people—25% of the population in seven IGAD countries—are experiencing acute food insecurity.
Alarmingly, this area accounts for over 50% of Africa’s chronically hungry, despite comprising only 25% of the continent’s population.
Technology as a Beacon: Transforming Agri-Food Systems
Amid these daunting statistics, technology and innovation offer a glimmer of hope. Prof. Andala described them as “tools to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems, making them more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.”
This leads to enhanced production, superior nutrition, a healthier environment, and improved livelihoods for all.
From drought-resistant seeds and smart irrigation systems to data analytics, drones, and satellite imagery, these advancements empower farmers, herders, and processors to optimize outputs from both land and marine resources without depleting nature.
Improved processing diversifies food options, making nutritious, safe products more accessible and combating malnutrition.
The FAO echoes this optimism, noting that technology empowers stakeholders with informed decision-making, modernizing farming for greater profitability.
E-agriculture, powered by mobile phones, has revolutionized information dissemination. Farmers now receive real-time SMS alerts on market prices, supply, and demand via dedicated apps, bridging information gaps and bolstering food security.
Fostering a Research Ecosystem: The NRF’s Mandate and Future Outlook
Established under the Science, Technology, and Innovation Act No. 28 of 2013, the NRF is tasked with mobilizing, allocating, and managing funds to advance STI.
The KNRF exemplifies this mission by promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, both locally and internationally, while nurturing research leadership and culture in Kenya.
As the festival concluded, the message was clear: Sustained investment in STI is essential for Kenya’s food security ambitions.
By empowering communities through bold research and innovative technologies, the nation can not only weather climate challenges but also emerge as a leader in sustainable agriculture.
With youth at the forefront and partnerships amplifying impact, Kenya’s innovation revolution holds the promise of a nourished, resilient future—one where food security translates to prosperity for all.
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