October 21–25, 2025

The University of Nairobi once again came alive with creativity and discovery as the 8th Annual Research and Innovation Week 2025 officially opened under the theme “Advancing Research and Innovation from Discovery to Impact in a Dynamic Global Landscape.” The event brought together scholars, innovators, and partners from across Kenya and beyond, all committed to promoting impactful research and innovation.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) played an active role in this year’s event by hosting two major conferences that added depth and diversity to the week’s discussions. The International Conference on the Nature of the State in Africa in the 21st Century, held on October 23–24, explored Africa’s governance challenges, transformations, and prospects, and presented over 50 papers from researchers across the continent. Running alongside was the 8th Annual Conference on the Status of the African Woman, which focused on women’s socio-economic and political sustainability and livelihoods.

These two vibrant events showcased the Faculty’s continued leadership in advancing dialogue on Africa’s development. The Research and Innovation Week also featured the much-anticipated National Student Innovation Challenge, where young innovators showcased solutions to national challenges. A team from Kenyatta University took the top award for developing biodegradable packaging materials made from cassava starch a remarkable example of research being turned into practical and sustainable innovation.

The official opening ceremony was led by Dr. Caroline Hunja, Secretary of Higher Education on Research in the Ministry of Education, who represented Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala. In her keynote address, Dr. Hunja emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector to transform research into tangible solutions. “We convene at a time of immense opportunity and pressing challenges... Our growth, our prosperity and our competitiveness in the global economy depend on our ability to generate knowledge, convert it into value-added goods and services, and apply it for the benefit of all Kenyans,” she said.

Dr. Hunja also highlighted the importance of instilling a culture of research from early education levels to support young researchers and start-ups working on sustainable solutions. She called upon learning institutions to focus on research that delivers measurable impact, particularly in areas such as climate resilience, agriculture, health innovation, and digital transformation.

The keynote speaker, Prof. Dickson Andala, CEO of the National Research Fund (NRF), commended the University of Nairobi for its continued leadership in research and innovation. “Kenya’s future depends on our collective ability to harness science, research, and innovation to address societal challenges, drive economic growth, and strengthen our global standing,” he said. Prof. Andala further noted, “Our role is to ensure that every funded project contributes meaningfully to the transformation of our society whether by solving a local problem, creating new enterprises, or informing public policy.”

Representing the Vice-Chancellor Prof.Margaret Hutchinson, the DVC acknowledged the University’s continued excellence in research output. “In the last quarter of the 2024/2025 fiscal year, University of Nairobi scholars published 258 papers in peer-reviewed international journals... addressing critical issues such as climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, digital transformation, governance, and public health,” she noted.

The 8th Research and Innovation Week 2025 not only showcased Kenya’s growing research potential but also reaffirmed the University of Nairobi’s position as a leading hub of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration in Africa. As the week’s discussions, exhibitions, and partnerships continue, one message stands out clearly — research and innovation are the engines that will drive Kenya’s Vision 2030 into reality.