NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - KENYA

1.

The formulation of the first national science and technology policy statement in 1980. The statement outlined guidelines for further advancement and use of science and technology for development. It also proposed various actions that needed to be taken for the realization of the national development goals as set out in the 4^th national development Plan 1979 – 1983. The Report on Science and Technology for Development, containing the policy statement was adopted by Parliament in 1982, as a response to the Council’s function of advising the Government on a national Science Policy, including general planning and the assessment of requisite financial resources.

2.

In 1982, the Council undertook a survey of scientists, technicians and artisans in Kenya to explore the country’s scientific and technological human resource situation with a view to generating a baseline data for planning and execution of her scientific and technological potential. Update of the S&T human resource capacity database was made following a similar survey conducted in 2008.

3.

The Council initiated the setting-up, in the late 80s, of the Kenya National Scientific Information and Documentation Centre (KENSIDOC) with a view to developing the information services necessary for the elaboration and efficient implementation of the country’s plans for socio-economic development. Other than the provision of referral scientific information services, KENSIDOC was purposefully to elaborate and implement the national scientific and technological information policy by promoting, harmonizing and effectively co-coordinating information services through a national network information resource centres.

As part of the effort to spur the acquisition and utilization of scientific and technological information, the Council issued the National Strategy for Scientific Information in 1987 to serve as a long – and short term guide to the development of KENSIDOC and its linkage to a network of scientific and technological centres.

4.

Prepared the Kenya Space Science Policy in the early 90s that was to guide Kenya in the application of space technology for the exploitation of space resources. The Policy proposed the establishment of the Kenya Space Agency to promote, aid, guide and coordinate space programmes in the country. Its fore runner, the National Space Secretariat, got Cabinet approval in 1993 and has since been established under the Department of Defence.

5.

In the late 90s, the Council identified the need for protection of IPR and the establishment of the Kenya Industrial Property Organization (KIPO), the precursor to the current Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) that was established under the Industrial Property Act, 2001. The institute promotes inventive and innovative activities through grant and regulation of intellectual property rights.

6.

The Research Grants Programme, started in 1979 to support important areas of research which, for various reasons, were not being undertaken by publicly funded institutions and to assist talented researchers with ideas of potential importance to the country. In 1989, the Council outlined the national research priority areas and subsequently revised them in 2004. This are used in guiding allocation of research funds.

7.

The Council In 1984 published the Research Clearance Procedures and Guidelines and Subsequently, provided guidelines in 2004 for ethical conduct of biomedical research involving human subjects in Kenya. These guidelines have been extremely useful for the documentation, monitoring and evaluation of research activities in the country

8.

Out of the coordination of NCST based on the country programme framework, the country has had very tangible benefits over a long period of time. These include:

i.

A national centre for the maintenance of instruments for nuclear science and technology established in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, Institute of Nuclear Sciences;

ii.

Non-destructive testing in industry university of Nairobi, metallurgy, civil engineering, earth sciences, developed in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards;

iii.

Hydro-geochemical and Isotope characterization of Geothermal fields and aquifers in the Rift Valley Geothermal fields and River Uaso Nyiro catchment area within Isiolo Merti and Yamicha Triangle. Also the hydro-geochemical study of the water resources of the Nile Valley using isotope hydrological techniques. These werehave been achieved in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation;

iv.

A national center for Nuclear medicine established in collaboration with Kenyatta National Hospital, and

v.

Development of sustainable process of cheap synthesis of bio-fertilizers using nuclear techniques in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and KARI.

9

Development of national capacity in geological and geo-information systems  coordination of the  seismology and the prediction of earthquakes as well as such earth movements. Two stations for detecting earth disturbances have been set up in Kenya, one at Karura forest and the other at Kilimambogo linking Kenya to Global verification Regime for early detection of nuclear tests and explosions in collaboration with the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).