The Kenya National Research Festival has kicked off at Egerton University’s Njoro campus, with leaders and researchers rallying support for science, technology, and innovation to drive the country’s food security agenda.

The five-day gathering, themed “Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security”, has brought together policymakers, academics, farmers, and development partners for exhibitions, discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at transforming food systems.

Speaking during the opening ceremony on Monday, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stressed that research is central to Kenya’s development goals and urged scientists to focus on arid and semi-arid regions, which make up the majority of the country’s landmass.

He called for stronger agroecological centers, improved research laboratories, and closer partnerships with universities to ensure that farmers and pastoralists directly benefit from research outcomes.

“Building a knowledge-driven agriculture will greatly rely on sustainable research financing, evidence-based policymaking, and support for innovation ecosystems,” Kagwe said.

Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Shaukat Abdulrazak, echoed the need for innovation, noting that over 80 percent of Kenya is arid or semi-arid.

He urged counties to embrace ecological solutions and pledged closer collaboration with university leaders to bridge the gap between research and practice.

Abdulrazak also encouraged the use of advanced technologies such as nuclear science applications for nutrition and electronic beam technology to help cut post-harvest losses.

The National Research Fund (NRF) highlighted its contribution to agricultural research and innovation.

CEO Dickson Andala revealed that the government, together with bilateral partners, has invested over Sh 7 billion in 400 research projects, 19 research infrastructures, and more than 700 postgraduate students.

Of these, more than 100 projects focus on agriculture, covering areas such as crop yield improvement, livestock management, and sustainable farming.

Egerton University itself has received Sh 152.9 million from NRF for projects, including a Sh 39 million Safe Food Reference Laboratory designed to test for heavy metals, antibiotic residues, and pathogens an investment meant to enhance food safety and consumer confidence in both local and export markets.

This year’s festival runs until Friday, August 22, and features over 1,000 farmers from Nakuru County. Activities include field demonstrations, keynote addresses, training workshops, panel sessions, poster exhibitions, and innovation pitches, all geared toward narrowing the gap between research findings and grassroots adoption