“As MMUST we are funding our researchers to enable them to attract bigger funding. We have a Science Park that houses many of our innovations,” said Prof. Mutai. He further asked the team to help Universities take their innovations to the commercialization stage.  

DVC, PRI Prof. Charles Mutai addressing the team from the State Department for Planning.

The Director SPIIC, Prof. John Muoma pointed out that the visit is an opportunity for MMUST to interact with industry and government in matters relating to Science, Technology and Innovation. “The database of information on Science, Technology and Innovation will enable networking and creation of synergies. MMUST has an innovation product that can treat jiggers and the University is currently processing the product patent,” said Prof. Muoma.

Speaking during the meeting, the Economic Planning Secretary from the National Treasury and Planning Ms. Katherine C. Muoki, said that Science, Technology and Innovation is a central concern of the State Department for Planning. “We focus on supporting the Big 4 agenda through collaborations and partnerships with institutions such as MMUST. We are taking note of the levels of development, categories of Science and Technology Parks, benefits to communities, institutions collaborations as well as the recommendations for improvement and support needed from the government,” added Ms. Muoki.

Accompanying the team from State Department for Planning was a group from Konza, a key flagship project of Kenya’s Vision 2030 economic development portfolio that works on Science, Innovation, and Technology in collaboration with Universities.

Other notable personalities present during the meeting were Deputy Registrar Planning, Research and Innovations Prof. Alice Ndiema and the Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing Dr. Lydia Anyonje.

Notably, such collaborations especially between government, academia and industry will upscale the levels and outputs of innovations in Kenya.

By: Linet Owuor, Caren Mutoro