The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) is established by the Science, Technology and Innovation Act, No. 28 of 2013 (ST&I Act) as a State Corporation. NACOSTI regulates and assures quality in Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) Sector and advises the Government in matters related thereto. NACOSTI is also mandated to annually collect data from research institutions and universities and submit a report to the Cabinet Secretary responsible for mattes of ST&I. Consequenlty, Heads of research institutions, universities and colleges are requested to submit data on annual bais to the Commission in the format provided for in NACOSTI website: www.nacosti.go.ke
As part of regulation of research, Section 12 of the ST&I Act makes it mandatory for anyone undertaking research in Kenya to apply for a grant of a license while Sections 16 and 17 provides for registration of research institutions. The ST&I Act provides for a fine of five million shillings or imprisonment for a jail term of not exceeding four years or both in contravention of Section 12. Further, the ST&I Act under Section 21 outlaws establishing and operating a research institution without obtaining a Certificate of Registration and provides for a fine of one million shilling or a jail term not exceeding more than two years or both in contravention of this section. In addition, Section 15 (1) of the Legal Notice No. 106 of 2014 provides for the recognition of researchers by registration, licensing and regulation.
NACOSTI in collaboration with Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) were awarded a competitive grant by the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) in 2018 with the aim of strengthening compliance in research regulation in Kenya. Part of this grant is supporting the development of a Research Institutions, Researchers and Institutional Ethics Review Committes (IERCs) System (RIRS).
The System which is in the final stages of development will revatilize the research ecosystem in the country. It will ensure seamless data and information exchange between various system used in the research ecosystem. It will also provide a platform for research institutions, researchers and IERCs to register, share and exchange data and information. The general public upon registration in the system will also have some rights to access the information .
As part of stakeholders engagement, NACOSTI plans to hold a sensitization workshops for the key users of the System who include research instituions, researchers, IERCs and universities. The workshop which will be held virtually has been scheduled for Thursday, 23rd July 2020.