Infrastructure and Technological advancement

The infrastructural support projects across different Universities and Research institutions continue important avenues of data and sample analysis and at the same time benefit research students. It is now easier for some of our researchers to undertake lab analysis for samples that could only be done out of the country in the earlier phases. The fully equipped ICT Lab at Kibabii University continues to spur training and development in this era of digital transformation.

The tissue culture banana propagation project at Bukura Agricultural College has been vital in bringing together the youths through the support of NGOs and County Governments of Kakamega and Siaya that purchase the reproduced suckers for distribution to the youth groups. Youths in these sectors have had an opportunity to learn the skills and techniques in handling the equipment and producing better results.

NRF has supported several conferences and seminars. They have been used as a focal point to disseminate research outcomes and as a platform where junior researchers and students who might want to engage in research activities learn from other established research scientists from various disciplines.

The several projects funded have developed policy briefs in very critical sectors such as environmental conversation. NRF remains committed to seeing that these issues are introduced on the policy agenda of both the National and County governments through different stakeholders. The Ngong Hill ecosystem project developed policy and conservation frameworks that can be used to protect the different endangered plant species. Several of these species have medicinal value. The research projects have acted as a center of focus in formulating evidence-based policies.

Healthcare and Public Health

Health is one of the thematic sectors that have received considerable funding from NRF. The outcomes of these projects are very appealing and have had a high impact on the communities. The Jigger Flea project in Western Kenya came in handy for Jigger flea victims in Vihiga, Busia and Siaya Counties. The school-going children and the youth who had dropped out of school due to the jigger menace were able to resume their activities after receiving treatment under this project. It is also among the several projects that have received upscaling funds to commercialize products that were realized in the First phase. Some of the projects have been linked with E-health where an app has been developed to be used to reach a wider population. Once this app has been adopted by the public, it will provide efficiency in service delivery to patients. For example, the E-health project at Kabarak University focused on the universal maternal health coverage of vulnerable populations.

Agriculture and Food Security

To contribute towards a food-secure nation, NRF has invested in research projects that are geared towards building the capacities of farmers and agricultural extension officers. Secondly, the projects have adopted methods that minimize post-harvest losses like the Mango Project in Kwale brought together farmers to rejuvenate the Dzombo Cooperative Society and establish the processing unit for mango juice. The Sahiwal breed in Trans-Mara is evidence of the better results that come from employing new technologies such as Artificial Insemination. The banana projects in Kandara and Kilifi under the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and the tissue culture banana project at Bukura Agricultural College a true manifestations of the contribution of research in enhancing food productivity.

Climate Change- Carbon Credits

NRF has not only funded projects that address the effects of climate change but is also taking part in environmental conservation measures through the planting of more than 2,000 trees each financial quarter. This initiative contributes immensely to the Presidential directive of planting 15 billion trees. These trees have been planted in Kwale, Konza, Naivasha, University of Nairobi, Upper Kabete, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology - Students have been involved in this activity extensively.