The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Hon. Joe Mucheru has today officially launched the inaugural Kenya Innovation Week at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete.

While addressing delegates, innovators, and investors, the CS lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) in making tremendous strides in the shaping and transformation of the innovation landscape in Kenya.

The CS gave his full support for the Kenya 2.0 movement noting that innovation is the solution to the youth unemployment challenge in Kenya. He reassured the commitment of the Ministry of ICT in working with the Ministry of Education, citing the synergy between the two ministries in executing the Ajira digital program.

Hon. Mucheru further emphasized the need to commercialize the innovations by Kenyans and turn them into flourishing startups.“The ultimate measure of the success of the innovation ecosystem is by the growth and survival of startups in Kenya,” said CS Mucheru.

Startups who are the key exhibitors at the Kenya Innovation Week 2021 got an opportunity to showcase their products and services to a large number of delegates, including the CS who appealed to the investors to visit the various startup stands stating that the innovativeness of Kenyans is quite clear.

Education CS Prof. George Magoha, in his speech delivered by the PS State Department for University Education and Research, Amb. Simon Nabukwesi noted that the Kenya Innovation Week breaks the silos working mentality within the National Innovation System through creation of partnerships and synergies.

CS Magoha either noted that the annual innovation week is expected to contribute towards a well-coordinated, developed and visible National Innovation System, thereby mainstreaming activities and initiatives aimed at achieving the Vision 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

KeNIA CEO Dr. Tonny Omwansa while articulating the rationale of the Innovation Week stated that the innovation showpiece is not an event but a movement, and appealed to the various stakeholders to join the movement and impact the Kenyan Ecosystem.

On its first day, the inaugural Kenya Innovation Week saw more than 500 delegates grace the occasion, and had inspiring key speeches and engaging panel sessions. The week is expected to get more exciting with the focus shifting to the four summits; Startup Kenya Summit, Commercialization Summit, Skills and Talent Summit, and the 4th Industrial Revolution Summit as from the second day of the event.