We are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Cleopatra Mugyenyi (@DrCleopatraKama) as AFIDEP’s Director of Sustainable Growth and Governance and Head, Kenya Office, effective 4 May 2026.
Dr Mugyenyi has over 20 years of experience in research, policy, programme leadership, and capacity strengthening across Africa. Her work spans governance and accountability, gender equality and social inclusion, women’s and youth empowerment, health systems strengthening, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and infectious disease epidemiology.
As she joins AFIDEP, Dr Mugyenyi brings a strong commitment to using evidence to solve real-world development challenges, strengthen institutions, and inform policies and programmes that improve lives.
It's a wrap for #stri4societyweek and we had the pleasure of having the Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi officiate the closing ceremony.
Speaking during the ceremony of #STRI4societyweek2026, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to placing science, technology, research and innovation at the center of national transformation and sustainable development.
Held under the theme “Igniting Innovation and Bridging Science and Society for Sustained Development,”the inaugural event brought together stakeholders including scientists, innovators, policymakers, academia, industry leaders, development partners and students.
Key highlights from his address:
🔹 Kenya is positioning Nairobi as a regional hub for science, technology, and innovation
🔹 Science and innovation are central to President William Ruto’s socioeconomic transformation agenda
🔹 Research must move beyond publications into communities, markets, industry, and policy impact
🔹 Stronger collaboration between academia, industry, and government is essential
🔹 The Kenya Science, Research and Innovation Synergy Blueprint will help align and accelerate innovation ecosystems
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also emphasized the importance of improving governance and coordination within the research and innovation landscape to unlock Kenya’s full potential as an innovation-driven economy.
#STRI4Society2026 #kenia #Enablinginnovation
What separates a great idea from real impact?
Earlier today at #STRIWeek2026 , we hosted a powerful breakout session on Research to Commercialisation: Pathways to Societal and Economic Impact.
Kenya National Innovation Agency C.E.O, @tomwansa. was clear: brilliant ideas alone are not enough. Real impact happens when innovation moves beyond the lab and into people's lives.
Here are the key takeaways :
📌Strengthening University Innovation Ecosystems
Building confidence within institutions, improving evaluation systems and supporting universities to measure progress are foundational steps in advancing research commercialisation. Universities must move beyond silos collaborating through institutional working groups and shared platforms that champion continuous learning and accountability.
📌Mentorship as a Catalyst for Growth
Experienced innovators both local and international play a pivotal role in guiding students, startups and faculty from concept to enterprise. Mentorship is not a luxury; it is a critical pillar of a thriving innovation ecosystem.
📌Unlocking Innovation Financing
Access to funding remains one of the most significant barriers on the journey from idea to impact. Improving innovation financing pathways and connecting stakeholders across the ecosystem is essential to building ventures that are not just promising but sustainable.
#stri4societyweek #KeNIA #enablinginnovation
Today marked a new chapter in Kenya's innovation ecosystem. Officiating at the opening of #STRI4societyweek2026, @Profshaukat@ScienceRI_Kenya , challenged the nation with a forward-looking declaration.
"Kenya must become a creator of knowledge, an owner of innovation, and a producer of globally competitive technologies," he said.
@Profshaukat outlined Kenya's readiness to lead, highlighting world-class digital infrastructure, a highly skilled young population, a thriving startup ecosystem, and a rapidly expanding research base.
He called for a shift from fragmented, siloed innovation efforts to a unified national ecosystem where government, universities, research institutions, industry, and innovators work with shared purpose. Key focus areas included artificial intelligence, biotechnology, climate technologies, innovation financing, and translating research into real-world impact.
Looking to the future, he outlined an ambitious national vision that includes:
📷 Every county has innovation ecosystems supporting local industries;
📷 Kenyan universities become globally competitive research institutions;
📷 Kenyan startups scale into continental technology enterprises;
📷 Scientific discoveries lead to local manufacturing and exports;
📷 Youth become global innovators and job creators;
📷 Research becomes deeply embedded in national planning and policymaking.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to scaling investment in science, technology, and innovation as a strategic cornerstone for economic transformation, job creation, and long-term national resilience.
#stri4societyweek #KeNIA #EnablingInnovation
Day 3 | STRI4Society Week
Tomorrow at #striweek2026 we have an exciting lineup of sessions you don't want to miss! 👇
Panel Session 1
Room: Aberdare | 9:30am – 10:15am
Rethinking Research and Innovation Funding in a PostAid Era
Panel Session 2
Room: Aberdare | 2:30pm – 3:15pm
Establishing Inclusive and Impact-Oriented National Research and Innovation Systems
Breakout Session
Room: Shimba | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Research Mobilization in the Post-Aid Era — Building resilient and sustainable research financing systems in Kenya and Africa.
See you there!
#STRI4Society #striweek2026 #KeNIA #EnablingInnovation
Canadian Government Scholarships 2026 in Canada (Fully Funded) for International Students
Visit: https://t.co/OLnFuCUstb
Degree: Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Diploma, and Certificate programs
Deadline: 31 March 2026
@OliveMugenda Eloquent, dedicated and a man of faith. I served under his exemplary leadership on the board of Commission of University Education (CUE 2014-2017) as well as Mater Misericordiae Hospital (2018-2021). Fare thee well Prof. Till we meet again.