KNAS Operational Framework

KNAS operates through specialist committees which generate and provide Independent advisories on policy formulation with respect to emerging trends in all fields of sciences including the humanities and social sciences. This is done through committees which are convened by the Academy to study and compile Scientific Evidence and develop evidence based position papers for release to the Government and the general public.

Since its inception, the academy had been receiving Government grants as a line Item on the NCST Budget and as Current Grants to other Government agencies on the NACOSTI Budget. The repeal of the NCST Act Cap 250 of the Laws of Kenya led to the enactment of the National Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) through the ST&I Act in 2013, and transformed the NCST into NACOSTI.

This repeal adversely affected the Academy leaving it without any recognition and funding from the government.

Legislation of Science Academies to promote Development

Kenya is currently the only country in Africa with a middle level economy but without a Science Academy established through legislation. This is in spite of the fact that the premier continental academy of sciences, African Academy of Sciences (AAS), as well as the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) are currently headquartered in Kenya. This makes Kenya the natural hub of science, technology and innovation in Africa. Legislating the establishment of KNAS will therefore reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to provide regional leadership in STI, and assure Kenya’s contribution to international sciences.