Kenya Launches a Science Translation Hub to Bridge Research Output and Policy

‘Good News for Early Career Researchers and post-graduate students in the area of food systems as the Kenya Science Translation Hub will train them for the next one and a half years on how to translate their science findings to impact policies and increase food security in Kenya.’

This was announced during the Launch of the Kenyan Science Translation Hub that was established under the umbrella of the AgriFose 2030 programme on October 22, 2025. The University of Nairobi will lead the hub, in partnership with University of Embu and Maseno University.

The launch was part of the UoN Annual Research and Innovation week under the theme Science to Action.  The launch was a groundbreaking initiative with an aim of transforming scientific research into actionable policies and sustainable practices.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Cecilia Onyango who is the Hub Leader and a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, emphasized the need for stronger linkages between researchers and decision-makers. She marked that “Science has to be moved from the laboratory to the field, to communities, and into policy rooms”. She also noted the kind of investment that has been put to ensure that the Hub discharges it mandate successfully. She conveyed her message of appreciation to all partners who made it possible for the Hub to be launched.

Dr. Justin Nyaga, Deputy Hub Leader from the University of Embu, said that the main objective is to make the hub known nationally and initiate engagements with partners who share a vision for evidence-based development. He also called for institutions to support the hub and help in ensuring that it impacts the society positively.

Academicians, policymakers, and development partners came together to foster a new culture of integrating science translation into curricula and research. The main mission of the Hub is to Increase the influence of scientific findings to inform policies on food systems and agriculture.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs, Prof. Ayub Gitau who was represented by Prof. Moses Nyangito, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture, highlighted the University’s commitment to leading scientific innovation that drives Kenya’s sustainable growth agenda. He also noted that the Hub aligns well with the University of Nairobi’s mission to generate knowledge that transforms lives and supports sustainable food systems. He celebrated this milestone and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to bring science closer to people and policy.

Prof. Nyangito expressed gratitude to the Swedish Government for the continued investment in research in food security.

Prof. Thomas Ochuku, Director of Research at the University of Nairobi called on universities to play a proactive role in translating research outputs into tangible national solutions. He said that research should be measured by its policy impacts and social benefits. He called researchers to collaborate and share expertise to strengthen the credibility and influence of science evidence in government planning.

Mr. John Orindi, Director Corporate Affairs also committed to support the Hub with communication. He noted that the Hub will be a platform for dialogue, engagement and storytelling around evidence based solutions. He also said that Hub will work to make science relatable and accessible to citizens in the process of making them part of the translation.

Kenya Science Translation Hub now positions itself as a catalyst for turning science into action by bridging the gap between knowledge creation and real-world impact across Kenya and the region.

The AgriFoSe2030 programme targets the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2: “End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture” in low-income countries.

Developed by a consortium of scientists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Lund University, University of Gothenburg and SEI, the programmme synthesises and translates existing science into policy and practice, and develops capacity to achieve this.