24th September 2026: Nairobi – The Chairperson of the National Research Fund (NRF) Board of Trustees, Dr. Thomas K. Serrem, has underscored the strategic importance of sustained investment in research and development in strengthening Kenya’s national capabilities, resilience and preparedness for the future.

Dr. Serrem made the remarks while delivering a lecture on “The Strategic Importance of Research Funding in Kenya” at the National Defence College (NDC), Karen, as part of the College’s National Security and Strategy Course (NDC Course 29-2026/27). The course brings together 80 senior military officers, civil servants and participants from 18 allied countries.

He noted that research funding should be viewed not simply as support for individual projects, but as a strategic investment in knowledge, talent, institutions, infrastructure and technologies that enable a country to anticipate challenges and make informed decisions.

He emphasised that research and development capacity must be built before a crisis emerges, highlighting the role of research in addressing emerging challenges including technological change, cybersecurity, health emergencies, climate pressures and dependence on critical technologies.

“Preparedness must precede necessity,” Dr. Serrem said.

The NRF Chairperson also stressed the importance of strengthening the pathway from research to application, including technology development, intellectual property, prototyping, regulation, industry partnerships, investment and market access. He noted that a strong research and innovation ecosystem should enable knowledge to translate into technologies, enterprises, policies and solutions that create economic and social value.

Dr. Serrem further highlighted the importance of international research collaboration, while emphasising the need to strengthen Kenya’s own scientific and technological capabilities. He noted that strategic autonomy does not mean scientific isolation, but the ability to engage globally while developing and contributing Kenya’s own knowledge and expertise.

The lecture comes at an important time for Kenya’s research and innovation ecosystem, following the launch of the Research Financing and Capacity Strengthening Masterplan (2026–2036) and NRF’s renewed focus on strengthening research financing, institutional capacity and research impact.

Concluding his address, Dr. Serrem observed that the choices Kenya makes today about research, people, institutions, infrastructure and partnerships will shape the choices available to the country tomorrow. “That is the strategic importance of research funding.”