Researchers and scientists from various key sectors in Kenya are urging the government to allocate at least 2% of the Gross Domestic Product annually for research, innovation, and development. This would be channeled through the National Research Fund, aiming to boost funding from Sh120 billion to Sh300 billion to address challenges like agriculture and climate change. The proposal emerged during a national conference held in Nairobi.
Researchers and scientists from key sectors such as universities, health, agriculture, education, climate change, environment, engineering, and public policy are calling on the Kenyan government to allocate at least 2% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually for research and innovation. This would help tackle major national challenges, according to experts at the Kenya Research Financing and Capacity Strengthening Masterplan (2026–2036) conference held in Nairobi.
Currently, the government allocates 0.8% of the national budget to research, a figure experts deem insufficient. National Research Fund (NRF) Director General Prof Dickson Andala stressed the need to increase investment. The NRF currently manages Sh120 billion, but the target is to reach Sh300 billion yearly, closing a Sh180 billion gap that hampers research activities.
For instance, in agriculture, climate change impacts could be fully addressed with adequate research funding. Prof Andala stated, “Properly funded research has no limits to success.”
The proposal forms part of a draft Masterplan prepared by the NRF's technical advisory committee in collaboration with ISAAA AfriCenter and the Research and Innovation Systems for Africa (RISA) Fund from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The plan, set for launch in 2026, will foster collaboration between research institutions, government, and industry to bring local innovations to market.
Principal Secretary for Research, Innovation and Development Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak affirmed the government's commitment to a knowledge-driven economy, with science, technology, and innovation fueling national progress. Kenya reportedly loses 30% to 40% of its agricultural produce during harvest due to poor infrastructure, and sectors like health and education stand to gain significantly from this investment.
