Directorates

SRI Kenya – Directorates (Drupal ready, fullwidth)

Our Structure

Directorates of the State Department for Science, Research & Innovation

The State Department operates through two Directorates, each with distinctive yet complementary roles in fulfilling our mandate.

1. Directorate of Science and Technology

Headed by the Secretary, Science and Technology

Secretary's responsibilities Science and Technology

Administer policies and programmes on Science, Research and Innovation
Develop an integrated framework for collaboration among research institutions, academia and Industry
Promote Science, Research and Innovation as key drivers of sustainable social-economic development
Evaluation of Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics
Documentation of Research infrastructure in Research institutions, Universities and Technical, education and vocational trainings
Monitor and evaluate scientific and technological activities in the country
Managing mechanism of research equipment portfolio at public Institutions
Formulate and review Science, Technology and innovation Policies and Strategies
Develop Science, Technology and Innovation Implementation Frameworks
Develop National Policy Reports and Position Papers on specific Science, Technology and Innovation areas
Provide technical/expert policy support to stakeholders in Science, Technology and Technology Sector
Develop Science, Technology and Innovation Statistics Observatory
Indigenous Knowledge exploitation
Establishment, monitoring and evaluation of Innovation Centres at public institutions

Science & Technology Promotion Division Director

Formulate, implement and review policies, frameworks, strategies, guidelines and standards for science and technology (S&T) promotion
Promote and coordinate scientific and technological programmes and projects that support local initiatives
Develop a national strategy for science communication and public engagement with science and technology
Promote science communication through engagement platforms such as exhibitions, science festivals, workshops and community dialogues
Establish S&T infrastructure needs for the country
Foster scientific research and technology development to address various socio-economic challenges
Coordinate feasibility and technical studies and S&T technology impact assessments on socioeconomic development
Integrate indigenous and traditional knowledge into S&T for sustainable national development
In liaison with the Ministry of Education, enhance the capacity of education institutions to provide STEM education
Organize S&T dissemination forums such as workshops, conferences, seminars and symposiums
Implement robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress, assess impact
Provide information about S&T advancements to the public and policymakers
Develop and implement programmes to create awareness on the benefits of science, technology and applications

Emerging and Frontier Technologies Division Director

Develop and implement policies, frameworks, strategies, guidelines and standards on relevant emerging and frontier technologies
Identify and analyze technological gaps within national development programmes and recommend frontier technology solutions
Advise on infrastructure requirements necessary for the development and uptake of emerging and frontier technologies
Build skills, expertise, and talents for adoption and development of emerging technologies
Develop initiatives to establish infrastructure for adoption and integration of emerging technologies
Develop guidelines on ethical deployment of emerging technologies in collaboration with Ministry responsible for ICT
Coordinate the integration of indigenous and traditional knowledge systems with emerging technologies to promote socio-economic growth
Establish and sustain partnerships to leverage global advancements in frontier technologies for national benefit

2. Directorate of Research, Innovation and Commercialization

Headed by the Secretary, Research, Innovation and Commercialization

Secretary's responsibilities Research, Innovation & Commercialization

Facilitate the upscaling, commercialization and practical application of research outputs in both public and private sectors
Policy and Regulations for Evaluation of Research, Science, Technology and Innovation
Evaluation of Technology acquisition, adoption, adaptation, transfer and diffusion
In partnership with the Ministry responsible for ICT, guide the ethical and strategic use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for societal benefit
Establish and support research programmes, hubs, and centres of excellence to advance scientific and technological progress
Evaluation of Innovations and their Commercialization
Intellectual Property Management
Policy development for commercialization of New and Emerging Technologies and Innovations
Establishment, monitoring and evaluation of Science and Technology Parks
Technology and Innovations Prospecting and Brokerage
Evaluation of the National Technology Transfer System in Universities and Research Organizations
Organize Research, Science and Technology workshops/conferences/ round table discussions including National Innovation Week
Co-ordinate funding mechanisms and incentives for research and innovation in collaborating with stakeholders
Support National Development Goals through evidence-based interventions and multisectoral partnerships
Establish Collaboration, partnerships and Linkages in Science Technology and Innovation – Kenya government, County governments, Industry and Knowledge-based institutions
Foster public-private partnerships and international collaborations to enhance knowledge exchange and shared innovation
Resource Mobilization for Research and Development through partnerships
Global Obligations in Research, Science, Technology and Science Diplomacy
Evaluation of partnerships in Research, Science, technology and Innovation

Research and Development Division Director

Develop, implement and review policies, strategies, guidelines and standards for research and development
Coordinate compilation of national research performance indicators
Promote collaborative research between research institutions; academia, industry and indigenous communities
Facilitate Provision of research extension and consultancy services
Spearhead translation and dissemination of research findings for policy, industry and community use
Establish and operationalize research hubs and centers of excellence
Establish a multi-stakeholder research ecosystem to align research resources with national priorities
Build communities of practice in research and development
Coordinate the establishment and maintenance of national repositories and databases
Facilitate capacity-building initiatives for researchers and institutions, including training and mentorship
Coordinate capacity building for research and development for improvement and preservation of indigenous knowledge
Promote ethical, participatory community-based research through Indigenous knowledge ethical review protocols
Monitor and evaluate performance and impact of publicly funded research
Promote gender, equity, and inclusion in research processes and governance

Innovation Management Division Director

Develop and review innovation policies, strategies, guidelines, standards, programmes and projects
Develop and implement mechanisms for strengthening Kenya's innovation ecosystem through global partnerships
Coordinate the design and implementation of innovation programmes and projects that support startups, entrepreneurs, mentorship, infrastructure grassroots innovations and mentorship
Establish innovation clusters to foster innovation and competitiveness through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and a supportive ecosystem
Develop reward schemes to incentivize researchers and innovators
Promote acquisition of IPR for research outputs and innovations
Foster linkages between research institutions, communities, industry and academia for advancement of innovation and creativity
Promote the development and preservation of indigenous technology, value addition, adaptation and innovation
Establish and maintain innovation hubs, incubation centres to nurture, develop and up-scale innovations
Foster a culture of innovation and creativity, replication, adaptation and learning
Provide technical advice to existing innovation projects
Organize multi-stakeholder fora, conferences, symposiums, exhibitions, fairs and seminars to promote innovations and a culture of creativity

Knowledge Management and Commercialization Division Director

Formulate, develop, implement and review policies, frameworks, strategies, guidelines and standards for knowledge management and transfer
Establish an SRI observatory to generate collect, aggregate, analyze, store and disseminate SRI statistics to inform evidence-based policy- and decision-making
Coordinate access to scientific data and knowledge, creation and dissemination of research-based content to inform public policy and societal dialogue
Establish and implement international collaborations and knowledge networks to enhance knowledge creation and exchange
Establish and maintain an integrated knowledge management information system to inform the country on the SRI profile
Partner with other national, regional and international SRI observatories to learn and implement best practices
Coordinate the identification, acquisition, transfer, diffusion and application of relevant SRI knowledge in all sectors of the economy
Enhance national productivity through managing, preserving and diffusing SRI knowledge to improve efficiency for socioeconomic development
Strengthen the knowledge management of National and County Governments to provide data and information on the state of SRI in Kenya
Establish future science, research and innovation (SRI) needs and develop suitable responsive and flexible data and indicators
Develop a national strategy for science communication and public engagement with science and technology
Establish guidelines for transforming scientific research into usable knowledge products
Support training and capacity building in science communication, including public science literacy and media relations
Promote science engagement platforms such as science festivals, exhibitions, community dialogue forums among others to enhance societal uptake of research

Partnership and Resource Mobilization Division Director

Develop and review policies, strategies, guidelines for resource mobilization and capacity building for SRI programmes and projects
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of partnership agreements and MOUs
Build capacity of stakeholders at various levels for resource mobilization
Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with development partners and other stakeholders
Coordinate mobilization of resources for science, research, and innovation programmes and projects
Undertake research to assess viability and potential sources of funding and cost benefit analysis
Develop, implement and review framework for a sustained approach to financial, material and non-material support to SRI
Quantify and report on the gains made through various Resource Mobilization efforts and partnerships