a) Membership
The National Council for Science and Technology has 27 members consisting of 12 eminent scientists, 14 Permanent Secretaries of Government Ministries with significant scientific and technological functions and the Secretary to the Council. The twelve (12) eminent scientists appointed by the Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology are:- Prof. David Some (Chairman), Mr. Julius Mburugu (Member), Dr. Ephraim Amiani Mukisira (Member), Dr. Vasey Nyamu Mwaja (Member), Prof. Lucy Wachuhi Irungu (Member), Prof. James Kahindi (Member), Prof. Kirana Bhatt (Member), Dr. Nzula Kitaka (Member), Ms. Ruth Adhiambo Onyango (Member), Prof. Benard Odhiambo Aduda (Member), Dr. Ali Salim Islam (Member) and Prof. Elijah Omwenga (Member).
The fourteen(14) Permanent Secretaries are of the following Ministries:
a) Office of the President - Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service;
b) Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
c) Ministry of Trade
d) Ministry of Industrialization
e) Ministry of Finance
f) Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources
g) Ministry of Information and Communication
h) Ministry of Public Works
i) Ministry of Water and Irrigation
j) Ministry of foreign Affairs
k) Ministry of Energy
l) Ministry of Livestock
m) Ministry of Medical Services
n) Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030
The Permanent Secretaries and the Secretary to the Council are ex-officio members.
As per the Science and Technology Act, Cap 250 of the Laws of Kenya spells out the functions of the Council. According to the Act, an appointed member of the Council serves a three-year term and may be re-appointed.
b) Committees and Terms of Reference
The Council is organized in committees, namely: the Steering Committee; the Specialist Committees; the Audit Committee and Headquarters Construction Committee. The Committees are served by a Secretariat under the Secretary to Council. The following are the Terms of Reference for the Committees:
i). The Steering Committee - elaborates the general science plan and coordinates the work of other committees of the Council.
ii). The Specialist Committees: There are four Specialist Committees, namely: Research and Social Sciences Specialist Committee - that oversees research andsocial sciences functions; Industrial, Physical and Nuclear Sciences and ICT Specialist Committee that oversees Industrial, Physical and Nuclear, Information and Communication Sciences as well as technology functions; Agriculture, Earth and Environment Sciences Specialist Committee – oversees Agriculture, Earth and Environment Sciences functions; and Health and Biological Sciences Specialist Committee – that oversees Health and Biological Sciences functions.
The following Terms of Reference applies to each Specialist Committee- in the science areas of responsibility:
Prepare and submit advice to Council on matters of science, technology and innovation in the sciences.
Consolidate, assess and profile research activities in the sciences.
Publicize and disseminate research results in the sciences.
Review, on behalf of Council, governance and management of research institutions relevant to the sciences.
Foster linkages and partnerships with local and international institutions for the development and application of the sciences.
Prepare appropriate budgets and mobilize funds for activities of Council within the sciences.
Undertake any other assignment as may be requested by Council
iii). The Audit Committee - The Committee provides oversight function for the Council’s internal Audit. The areas of coverage include: Cash Management, Payroll, Procurement , Revenue /AiA, Budget, Transport, Projects, ST&I Grants allocation and disbursement, Expenditure verification, Safety and Security of Assets,Record keeping, compliance with laws and regulations and Investigation of fraud.
iv). The Headquarters Construction Committee– has the responsibilities of ensuring smooth and successful implementation of the NCST Headquarters building.
