Science and Technology in Kenya, Does Kenya Care?

The Grand Debate aimed to drive a discussion of Science and Technology (S&T) and its relevance to Kenyan development.

GRAND DEBATE TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVEiZfiHPI4

Globally, S&T are recognized as drivers of increase wealth and improved standards of living. Several countries, such as the so-called 'Asian Tigers' [Singapore, Korea, Thailand and South Africa], have successfully used S&T to address urgent social and economic issues, especially those relating to health, agriculture and environment.

In 2009, Kenya faced numerous challenges such as drought‐related food insecurity, power and water scarcity, a looming swine flu epidemic and natural disasters like the El‐Niño and flooding in parts of Nairobi, Coastal and Western Kenya. Research suggests some of these challenges could have been avoided through the proactive use of S&T. The same year also witnessed new advancements in science and technology such as the fibre optic cable, which could potentially boost Kenya's development path.

The power of S&T to address issues such as famine, malnutrition, water shortages, epidemics, power blackouts, drought, floods, poor housing and infrastructure is immense. But it seems that there is no practical realization that S&T generates the goods and services needed for survival and competition in local, regional and global marketplaces.

What can we do to make S&T work for Kenyans and others nations in the region?

What Are the Persistent Barriers to an Aggressive, Dynamic Use of S&T In Kenya That Could Help Improve The Nation's Fortunes?

STATE OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY IN KENYA: PROF SHAUKAT ABDULRAZAK
• Of the world researchers, Africa contributes mere 2.3% [~163,000 researchers], whom more than half are in South Africa and Egypt clearly leaving the other 49 countries (including Kenya to share less than 1.3%].

WOMEN IN SCIENCE: DR LUSIKE WASILWA
• In 2009, the number of graduating women doctors was at par with men, the dean of schools medical, pharmacy and dentistry at UoN for example are women and women hold top position in the school of biological and physical sciences and faculty of agriculture are these signs that S&T in Kenya will soon be in the hands of women?

BRAIN DRAIN: PROF RAPHAEL MUNAVU
• Kenya ranks third in Africa in brain drain intensity, with a skilled emigration rate between 35‐40%. It is estimated that about 500,000 to 1,800,000 Kenyans live and work overseas. [Docquier, F., O. Lohest & Marfouk, A. (2006).

FUNDING: DR SAM KINYANJUI AND PROF SHAUKAT ABDULRAZAK
• In 2007, African countries devoted to spend at least 1% of their GDP on Research & Development (R&D); today Kenya spends less than 0.5% of its GDP on R&D whilst South Africa is at 0.9%, [UNESCO Institute for statistics 2008].

TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING: DR SAM KINYANJUI
• Kenya had only 4,506 doctors in 2007, that is, there was only one doctor for about 10,000 people.

COVERAGE OF SCIENCE IN THE MEDIA: MS ZIPPORAH MUSAU
• How would you rate science reporting in Kenya? & what are the challenges that journalists face in covering science stories in Kenya?

For further information please contact Ruth Wanjala: rwanjalanairobi [dot] kemri-wellcome [dot] org and/or Juliette Mutheu: jmutheunairobi [dot] kemri-wellcome [dot] org