25/08/2025
14th August 2025, The (KATIC) was officially launched at the University of Nairobi, Upper Kabete Campus as a strategic initiative to strengthen the link between academic research, industry practices, and government priorities in agriculture.
The First Lady, H.E. Mama Rachel Ruto, commended the partnership that birthed the Centre, describing it as a model for advancing innovation, empowering youth, and fostering collaboration between researchers and industry players. Dr. Bimal Kantaria of Elgon Kenya Limited underscored the long-term goal of cultivating a new generation of agricultural leaders, while CEO Agatha Thuo called attention to gaps in reliable agricultural data, competitive markets, and enabling policies that the Centre could help address. From a regional perspective, ’s Dr. Sylvia Henga stressed the urgency of tackling food insecurity—currently affecting over 62 million people—by adopting integrated approaches that combine production, value addition, resilience, and inclusivity.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ayub Gitau emphasized the University’s commitment to translating knowledge into practical outcomes, noting that KATIC will significantly improve graduate employability while advancing the country’s food security agenda. In support, senior government officials outlined the role of policy in strengthening such initiatives. Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya highlighted the importance of youth engagement through modern technologies, while Agriculture PS Dr. Paul Ronoh advocated for the inclusion of youth and women in agriculture-led transformations. TVET PS Dr. Esther Mworia added that technical training must be closely integrated with industry to prepare students with real-world skills. Collectively, these insights positioned KATIC as a timely and collaborative platform for innovation, capacity building, and regional food systems resilience.
