Nairobi: The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of national development to address socio-economic challenges.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the ongoing 9th African School of Fundamental Physics and Applications (ASP2026), Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Migos Ogamba, through a speech delivered by Chairman, Board of Governors, Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education for Africa (CEMASTEA) Dr. Pius Mutisya, emphasized that physics remains the foundation of modern development. He noted that physics underpins advances in various sectors such as energy, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, climate science, and digital technologies.
Ogamba highlighted that as Kenya aims to become a knowledge-based economy, investing in science, technology, and innovation is a national priority. He stressed the importance of quality physics training to develop a skilled workforce needed for national development.
Ogamba further addressed the need for Kenya’s education system to evolve by promoting experimentation, creativity, coding, robotics, innovation, and problem-solving skills. This evolution will empower learners to apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges.
Ogamba commended the University of Nairobi, CEMASTEA, and local and international partners for organizing the programme, describing it as an important platform that brings together various stakeholders to advance science, innovation, and education. He observed that Africa’s challenges, including energy access, water security, agricultural productivity, healthcare delivery, and environmental sustainability, require scientific solutions.
Ogamba called for increased investment in both fundamental and applied physics research, alongside expanding modern laboratories, high-performance computing facilities, postgraduate scholarships, and support for early-career scientists. He emphasized that collaboration among governments, universities, research institutions, and industry is critical to accelerating scientific discovery and innovation.
He urged institutions to strengthen joint research programmes, researcher exchanges, shared laboratory facilities, postgraduate supervision, and equitable international partnerships to build local scientific capacity while contributing to global knowledge. Furthermore, Ogamba highlighted the importance of making science education more inclusive by expanding opportunities for women, persons with disabilities, and learners from disadvantaged communities.
To facilitate the transition from education to employment, Ogamba encouraged the integration of entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property management, and business development into academic programmes. He noted that internships, industrial attachments, mentorship programmes, incubation centers, and seed funding initiatives could help young people transform scientific ideas into viable enterprises and technologies.
Ogamba underscored that research success should not be measured solely by academic publications but also by its societal contributions through patents, technologies, industries, and jobs, particularly in renewable energy, medical technologies, green manufacturing, and emerging digital industries. He encouraged participants at ASP2026, including students, researchers, lecturers, and teachers from across the world, to leverage the platform for learning, collaboration, and networking.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting science, technology, and innovation, expressing confidence that discussions and partnerships from ASP2026 would significantly contribute to Kenya’s scientific and technological development.
