Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation signs the visitor’s book at the NACOSTI booth.
August 2025, Devolution Conference 2025 hosted at Homabay National School in Homabay County brought together national and county leaders, development partners, and civil society organizations under the unifying theme: For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.
The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) actively participated in this Devolution Conference reinforcing the role of Research, Science, Technology, and Innovation (RSTI) in driving inclusive and equitable development at the county level.
Organized by the Council of Governors in collaboration with key stakeholders, the conference goal aimed to examine the place of devolution in the realization of equity, inclusion, and social justice and generate practical proposals that can be adopted by state and non-state actors for bridging the socio-economic divide. The sub-theme, Re-engineering County Governments to Accelerate Development and Close the Socio-Economic Divide,” guided the plenary and thematic sessions.
This year’s conference was structured around three thematic days:
Day 1: Good Governance Day – Wednesday 13th August 2025
The aim of the Good Governance Day is to provide an opportunity to address the mainstreaming of principles of good governance and inclusive development in day to day operations of subnational governments.
Day 2: Human Rights and Social Justice Day – Thursday 14th August, 2025
The Human Rights and Social Justice Day will focus on the mainstreaming of socio-economic, political, civil and cultural rights; and social justice principles of access to resources, inclusion, equality and diversity-in subnational governance.
Day 3: Financing Equity and Inclusion Day – Friday 15th August, 2025
The aim of the Financing Equity and Inclusion Day is to trigger candid conversations on allocation of resources to address systemic inequalities and promoting fairness in the access of finances by all.
In attendance were prominent leaders including Chair of the Council of Governors Governor FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, EGH, Steering Committee Member Governor Dr. Mutahi Kahiga, EGH, CEO Mary Mwiti, EBS, keynote speakers and other officials. Also present was the Principal Secretary Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak of the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation in Kenya.
Panel discussions featured insights from Governor Dr. Ochilo Ayacko, EGH, alongside development partners and side event hosts who shared best practices on participatory governance and inclusive development.
NACOSTI (National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation) actively participated through its representatives Harriet Kinya, Principal of Registration and Accreditation, and Steve Indimuli, Registration and Accreditation Officer. The commission showcased an interactive exhibition highlighting how RSTI can inform policy, foster innovation, and support sustainable development tailored to local needs. NACOSTI underscored the importance of boosting research capacity and embedding scientific knowledge and technology within county planning frameworks.
NACOSTI’s exhibition booth highlighting services and commitment to national development.
The conference concluded with a call for collaborative action among state and non-state actors to enhance devolution as a mechanism for equitable, inclusive, and just development. NACOSTI remains dedicated to supporting this mission by ensuring that science and innovation remain at the heart of devolved governance.