Researchers warn Kenya's broken pledge risks worsening hunger
Rift Valley
By
David Njaaga
| Aug 19, 2025
Prof. Dickson Andala, CEO of the National Research Fund (second right) and Dr. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation (third right) tour exhibitions at the Kenya National Research Festival 2025 at Egerton University.
Kenya has yet to meet its pledge of spending 2 per cent of gross domestic product on research even as leaders warn food insecurity is worsening.
This was revealed during the opening of the Kenya National Research Festival on Monday at the University of Nairobi where researchers said the government has consistently underfunded science and innovation.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama noted that allocating adequate funds to research is critical in addressing hunger, climate change and health challenges.
He explained that the pledge, made more than a decade ago, remains largely unfulfilled.
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“Without strong investment in research, we cannot deliver the innovations needed to feed our people or protect our environment,” Prof. Kiama observed.
Other scholars stressed that Kenya risks falling further behind its peers if it continues neglecting the 2 per cent commitment.
They argued that countries making sustained investments in research are better placed to guarantee food security and drive economic growth.
Kenya National Research Fund Chief Executive Officer Dr. Samson Gwali added that unlocking adequate resources for researchers would not only reduce hunger but also spark innovation across agriculture and industry.
The festival, which brought together scientists, policymakers and students, seeks to highlight research as a key driver of Kenya’s long-term development.