RECENT ACTIVITIES

President KNAS, Prof. Emeritus Ratemo W. Michieka, and the Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Vasey Mwaja, are attending the 7^th African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) Conference held in Zanzibar from December 10^th to 13^th, 2024. During this significant event, Prof. Vasey Mwaja has been elected as the 1^st Vice-Chairperson of the ASRIC Bureau. This participation underscores the Kenya National Academy of Sciences' commitment to promoting scientific research and innovation in Africa. Prof. Mwaja's election to a prominent leadership role in the ASRIC Bureau highlights the Academy's influence and active involvement in shaping the scientific agenda across the continent, reinforcing Kenya's position as a key player in regional and international scientific discourse.

We are pleased to announce our participation in the Annual Meeting of African Science Academies (AMASA 2024) from November 26-28 in Algiers, Algeria. The theme was “Resources, Science and Technology for Development in Africa.” Our KNAS President and Editor-in-Chief attended, contributing to vital discussions on  advancing science and technology in Africa.

Titled “A Science and Policy Interface and Dialogue at the Time of Global Transformations”, WSF2024 attracted 1,200 delegates, including KNAS President Prof. Ratemo W. Michieka, from 122 countries. They participated in sessions and roundtable discussions, which featured 100 lectures across 19 plenary and thematic sessions over four days, from 20-23 November. The aim was to overcome the current limitations of the wide-scale implementation of science-based policy measures on a global level. The next forum will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2026, with the theme “Science for Global Resilience and Equity”

Since its inception, the Academy has been a leader in supporting evidence-based policy, building capacity for members and stakeholders, and improving productivity in the country's economic sectors. It is long overdue for the Academy to adopt a management tool, specifically a strategic plan. The Strategic Plan 2024-2028, launched on November 14, 2024, at Nairobi Safari Club, is the Academy's second five-year strategy, focusing on eight key areas: Advocacy and Advisory, Governance, Membership Engagement, Communication and Outreach, Institutional Resources and Capacity, Partnership and Collaboration, Emerging and Contemporary Issues, and Knowledge Dissemination. These areas were identified through a situational analysis conducted by the Academy. Through monitoring, evaluation, and learning, the Academy will document lessons learned to inform corrective actions and ensure the implementation of the Strategic Plan stays on course. The projected financial requirements for the Academy over the next five years are outlined in the Strategic Plan, which aims to build an internationally recognized Academy of Science. The launch event was attended by Mr. James Mwangi Kiburi, Director Local Universities, Administrative Services and Projects representing; Dr. Julius Migosi Ogamba, the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Education; Dr. Dan K. Gigonyo, an interventional cardiologist from The Karen Hospital, and the KNAS Governing Council, led by Prof. Emeritus Ratemo W. Michieka, President.