PS call for investment in research and innovation

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation, Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak, has affirmed the government’s commitment to harnessing science, technology, research, and innovation as engines of economic growth, job creation, and societal transformation.

Speaking during the official opening of the 14^th Rift Valley Technical Training Institute (RVTTI) International Conference 2026 themed “Transformative Agenda in TVET: Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development,” the PS said the theme is timely and strategic and it speaks directly to Kenya’s development aspirations under Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and Agenda 2063.

He highlighted the importance of investing in technical skills, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, noting that nations across the world that have successfully transformed their economies did so by investing in the same area.

“Singapore, South Korea, Germany, and China built strong TVET systems that supplied industries with skilled manpower, accelerated industrialization, and fostered innovation-driven economies. Kenya must follow a similar trajectory,” noted Prof. Shaukat.

He indicated that the country’s greatest resource is not only in minerals, land, or infrastructure but also in our people. He added that the ability to equip young people with practical skills, entrepreneurial capabilities, and innovative mindsets will enhance Kenya’s capacity to become a globally competitive economy.

While referring to Kenya’s young population with over 75 per cent falling below the age of 35, Prof. Shaukat argued that this youthful population presents an enormous demographic dividend, which, however, without skills, innovation, and productive opportunities, can equally become a challenge.

He further commended the TVET for its key role in converting this demographic potential into economic prosperity.

He lauded RVTTI for its remarkable achievement as one of the leading TVET institutions in the country and the region as an East African Center of Excellence in TVET, which continues to demonstrate how technical training can be integrated with research, innovation, and industry partnerships to produce solutions that directly address societal challenges.

The PS mentioned that the future of TVET lies beyond traditional skills training, which is why modern TVET institutions must become centers of innovation, technology development, incubation, and commercialization, noting that students should not only graduate to seek jobs; they should graduate capable of creating jobs themselves.

He called for strengthened innovation ecosystems within TVET institutions through innovation and incubation hubs, fabrication laboratories and maker spaces, start-up accelerators, technology transfer offices, intellectual property support systems, and industry-linked commercialization platforms.

“A student who develops an innovative solution in agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, health technologies, digital services, or artificial intelligence should be supported to transform that idea into a viable enterprise,” he noted.

He affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the innovation value chain from idea generation to commercialization, noting that they are promoting stronger linkages among government, academia, industry, and communities to ensure innovations move beyond laboratories into the marketplace and society through the Kenya Science, Research, and Innovation (SRI) Synergy Blueprint.

“This is where the concept of research-to-market becomes critical. Research that remains on library shelves has limited value. Research that creates jobs, improves productivity, enhances livelihoods, and solves societal challenges creates impact,” added Prof. Shaukat.

The event brought together members of the board of governors, representatives of national and county governments, development partners, industry leaders and private sector representatives, vice chancellors and principals of universities and TVET institutions, researchers, innovators, trainers, and students.

The PS also presided over the launching of Volume II of the AfriTVET Journal (Africa Journal of Technical and Vocational Education and Training), a peer-reviewed academic journal published by the RVTTI. It features research and innovations presented at the annual RVTTI International TVET Conferences.

By Ekuwam Sylvester