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Kenya to embrace research, technology in achieving UN goals

Xinhua, May 18, 2017 Adjust font size:

Kenya is in the process of embracing research and technology as part of its strategy towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a UN-backed set of goals to end poverty, an official said on Thursday.

Director General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) Moses Rugut said that the adverse climate changes that the country is going through currently can only be tacked through science.

"We are putting science based measures in place to help transform the country by find lasting solution to perennial drought, floods and water problems," Rugut told journalists in Nairobi.

He said that the commission is looking into possibilities of growing food crops with little or no rain in all parts of Kenya to help solve food insecurity.

Rugut observed that a recent declaration of drought as a national disaster in the country is proof that scientists' expertise is required urgently to help stabilize the situation that is already posing a major risk to people, livestock and wildlife.

National Research Fund (RUF) Acting Chief Executive Officer Jemimah Onsare said that the organization plans to promote dissemination of research findings in all parts of the country.

"We have earmarked large portion of a recent national research budget of 30 million U.S. dollars to research on climate change," Onsare said.

Rugut announced that Kenya will next week host the 6th National Science Week that will be attended by regional and international delegates.

The meeting, which will be held in Nairobi, is organized by the government. The theme of the exhibition is Research, Science, Technology and Innovation to address Climate Change.

"One of the objectives of the event will be to show-case Kenya's achievements and breakthroughs in Science, Technology and Innovation," he noted. Endit