Uhuru roots for listing of upcoming innovators

President Uhuru Kenyatta (pictured) has ordered the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) to grant young innovators trademarks at no cost.

Uhuru spoke while opening the second Young Scientists Kenya Science and Technology Exhibition at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Nairobi.

He also ordered KIPI to help young scientists secure intellectual rights or projects that will help drive the Big Four agenda.

“Last we year, we adopted a science-leaning system under the Competency Based Curriculum and seek to lay emphasis on practical learning on science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said the President.

He also reiterated that more teachers and lecturers were being trained on STEM subjects to drive this agenda. The President said the government, in collaboration with the private sector, is planning a boot camp for young scientists in the next nine months.

Charles Kare, Director Consumer Business at Safaricom which is one of the partners, said the youth network BLAZE had taken up platinum sponsorship in order to prop up Kenya as the regional innovations hub. Safaricom put in Sh45 million into the project.

The exhibition, which will run for the next four days, offers a platform for young people to showcase their scientific talents. It seeks to popularise science and technology amongst young people by encouraging them to develop projects that seek practical solutions to the problems.

“These efforts have borne fruit, as this year will see a more diverse exhibition with students from 200 schools across all the 47 counties showcasing innovative projects around themes of national interest such as affordable housing and access to healthcare,” said Mr Kare.

Some of the innovations showcased included projects that seek to conserve the environment.