Category: Latest News

Solar Power for Houses and Businesses (SPHB) Policy Advisory Committee held its sixth meeting, on 29th July 2020, since formation in April amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Prof. Walter Oyawa, Director General NACOSTI, gave his inaugural address after a benchmarking presentation, by the team leader, Dr. Amollo Ambole. The Benchmarking focused on best practices in other countries, including regulatory framework and programmes by respective governments and other stakeholders, solar PV market segments, key barriers in adoption at the local level and … Continue reading “NACOSTI MEETS THE SOLAR POWER FOR HOUSES AND BUSINESSES POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE”

African Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology (AFRA) held its 31st Technical Working Group Meeting (TWGM) on Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th July 2020. The meeting was officially opened by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS), Madame Eleonore YAYI LADEKAN, who on behalf of the Benin government welcomed the delegates virtually to Cotonou. The objective of this meeting was to review reports of the AFRA Committees and make recommendations … Continue reading “AFRA HOLDS 31ST REGIONAL MEETING VIRTUALLY”

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) Kenya chapter hosted a virtual Agri-biotechnology sensitization and updates meeting on Friday 24th July 2020. The aim of this meeting was to provide updates on agricultural biotechnology research and developments in Kenya and introduce and invite key stakeholders to a new OFAB Kenya Associates Program. The meeting brought together 27 participants including scientists, farmer leaders, faith-based leaders, women and youth representatives, select private sector players and social media influencers to deliberate … Continue reading “OFAB KENYA ASSOCIATES PROGRAM MEETING”

The Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) Kenya chapter and partners held a Bt cotton sensitization virtual meeting on 22nd July 2020. OFAB is a platform jointly run by National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) and International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA). The meeting brought together County Communication Officers from eight (8) cotton-growing counties namely Busia, Baringo, Kisumu, Kitui, Makueni, Migori, Tharaka Nithi and Isiolo. It aimed at sensitizing participants on Bt cotton … Continue reading “OFAB HOLDS BT COTTON SENSITIZATION MEETING”

International Services for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications Association (ISAAA) – Dr. Maragaret Karembu paid NACOSTI Director General a courtesy call on 17th July 2020. In the meeting was NACOSTI team led by Prof. Walter Oyawa – Director General, Dr. Roy Mugiira – Director of Scheduled Sciences, Dr. Steve Karimi- Director of Research Accreditation and Quality Assurance and Dr. Benson Mburu – Principal Analyst Agriculture and Natural Sciences. NACOSTI partnership with ISAAA is broad, with the key engagement being the … Continue reading “INTERNATIONAL SERVICES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF AGRI-BIOTECH APPLICATIONS ASSOCIATION (ISAAA) VISITS NACOSTI”

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 … Continue reading “REVITALIZATION OF THE RESEARCH ECOSYSTEM IN KENYA”

 Prevention, early detection and control make up the three-pronged approach that Africa is taking on to manage the menace of invasive species on the continent. As the climate continues to change, invasive species also continue to increase and spread globally. Countries cannot wave off a global challenge individually hence the need for a continent-wide strategy. This strategy was developed to respond to the invasive species challenge by linking conservation of biodiversity to human health. Its overall objective is to effectively guide and … Continue reading “INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL AGRICULTURE RELEASES 10-YEAR STRATEGY FOR MANAGING INVASIVE SPECIES IN AFRICA”

Universities have demonstrated to the world during the COVID-19 crisis why their expertise matters and why international collaboration in higher education is needed to solve the world’s pressing challenges, say the leaders of a conglomeration of international university organisations representing more than 2,000 institutions worldwide. So now is the time for the international community to recognise the fundamental importance of higher education to achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS), which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, foster gender equality, defend … Continue reading “UNIVERSITIES ARE KEY TO ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

East Africa is endowed with plants, animals, insects and microorganisms (tiny living things which cannot be seen by the naked eye) of various kinds. This rich diversity of biological resources is a strong foundation for a bioeconomy. The term “bioeconomy” is widely understood in the region as the use of scientific knowledge to add social and economic value to biological resources in a sustainable way. This added value is expressed in healthier foods, safer medicines, useful substances from biological waste … Continue reading “WHY EAST AFRICA CHOSE TO DEVELOP A REGIONAL BIOECONOMY STRATEGY”

NACOSTI has today (11th July 2020) granted a research license for Public Health Emergency Solidarity Trial World Health Organisation Covid-19 Master Protocol. The project has been endorsed by the Ministry of Health and had received all the requisite ethics and regulatory approval. The regulatory approval is from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board. The Head, Biological and Health Sciences Schedule provided favourable recommendations on the proposed Study. The application was received on 8th July 2020. The above will be tandem with our … Continue reading “NACOSTI GRANTS RESEARCH LICENSE FOR RESEARCH OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE AS THE WORLD RESPONDS TO COVID 19 PANDEMIC”