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{
"id": 208614,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/208614/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Yattani",
"speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Science and Technology",
"speaker": {
"id": 369,
"legal_name": "Ukur Yattani",
"slug": "ukur-yattani"
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"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) The Government takes serious cognizance of the role that science and technology plays in national development. It is for this reason that in 2005, the Government established a fully- fledged Ministry of Science and Technology. Indeed, in Vision 2030, this new Ministry has been given enormous responsibilities geared towards making Kenya a globally competitive and prosperous country with a high quality of life. Even before the formation of this new Ministry of Science and Technology, the Government, through an Act of Parliament Cap.250 of 1977, established the National Council for Science and Technology, which has been spearheading all scientific and technological matters in the country. There is also in place, in the Ministry, a fully-fledged Directorate of Research Development and Directorate of Technical Training, which together play a pivotal role in the 3214 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES August 15, 2007 promotion of Science and Technology. (b) The Government considers the National Academy of Sciences as and independent and credible professional institution that operates as a Non-Government Organization (NGO). However, in recognition of the role it plays in national affairs, the Government, through the National Council for Science and Technology, has, over the years, offered some budgetary financial assistance to the Academy with the hope that it eventually will fully fund its own operations. The Academy is also housed by the Ministry. In the last five years, the Government granted the Academy the following amounts: 2003/2004 Financial Year, Kshs4,361,840; 2004/2005 Financial Year, Kshs4,361,840; 2005/2006 Financial Year, Kshs8,238,024, 2006/2007 Financial Year, Kshs8,238,024 and 2007/2008 Financial Year, Kshs4,500,000. That totals to Kshs29,699,728. (c) The Government has taken the following measures to promote science and technology in the country:- 1. The Government has in the current Budget for 2007/2008 Financial Year created the Research, Innovations and Technology Endowment Fund with an initial commitment of Kshs200 million. This is a radical departure from the past where a meagre Kshs32 million was being allocated for this important function. It is, indeed, our remarkable appreciation for the central role that science and technology plays in our economy. We expect the private sector and our development partners to also contribute to this Fund. 2. The Government, in its National Skills Strategy, plans to reactivate the Technical, Industrial, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TIVET) Programme in various sectors of the economy. In the process, a TIVET authority will be created to take charge of this important function. In addition, national polytechnics will be upgraded to offer degrees, while technical training institutions will not only be upgraded but will also be expected to serve as centres of excellence. 3. The Ministry has developed its Strategic Plan 2007 to 2012, which clearly sets out the road map that the country must take in all matters concerning science and technology. 4. The Ministry is finalizing the Science, Technology and Innovations Policy which lays a strong foundation for the achievement of the Vision 2030 and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 5. The National Council for Science and Technology---"
}