Kenyan ‘Moses’ Uhuru Kenyatta has seen Future in Science and Research.
In his speech during the 7th state of the nation address, President Uhuru Kenyatta said like Moses saw the future of the Israelites, he had seen the future of Kenyans.
President Kenyatta has promised that his Government will continue implementing programmes aimed at nurturing the growing scientific talent pool to create wealth and expand employment opportunities for Kenyans.
Speaking during the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi, He said that science and research are the keys to unlocking Kenya’s development potential especially in finding solutions to challenge slowing down the country’s progress.
In a pre-recorded video address, the president applauded ICIPE for its great contributions to the growth of science and research in Africa over the last five decades.
“As this pioneering institution commemorates its 50 years of service, in partnership with government across the continent, we note with appreciation the central role you have and continue to play in insect research, plant health, animal health, environmental health, all aimed at bettering human health and welfare,”
In his speech, he argued that Africa must continue to expand its investment in science and research for it to achieve the aspiration of becoming a prosperous and peaceful continent.
“Indeed, Africa will continue to rely on scientific organizations not only to address present and future development challenges but also to provide the platform upon which we may be able to take advantages of the emerging opportunities in the digital and the biological economic sectors,”
He continued by praising ICIPE’s training programmes delivered through the African Regional Postgraduate Programme in Insect Science (ARPPIS) and the Dissertation Research Internship programme (DRIP), saying the initiatives have helped to significantly increase the number of scientists and researchers in sub-Saharan Africa.
“Likewise, I note with appreciation that in 2008, ICIPE was selected by African governments to run the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) of the partnership for skills in applied sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET). The central objective of this fund is to train up to 1000 doctoral-level scientists annually from sub-Sahara countries in the various core fields of science.”
He pointed out that Kenya’s vision 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063 both recognize the vital role played by science and scientific organizations like ICIPE in achieving developmental objectives.
With recognition, he promised that his administration will continue working closely with scientific and research organizations as key development partners adding that the Kenyan Government had contributed more than kshs200 million to the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RIF) of the partnership for skills in applied sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) where he is the current chairperson.
In marking the day, the president launched the ICIPE’S vision and strategy for the period 2021 to 2025, which he termed as bold and comprehensive and that it will position the organization as a Centre for discovery and provision of solutions.
Other government officials present were cabinet secretaries Raychelle Omamo (Foreign affairs) and Peter Munya (Agriculture)
