On 15 January 2026, the University of Nairobi (UoN) hosted vice chancellors and hub leaders from partner universities to discuss the Kenya Science Translation Hub, a platform designed to turn research into policy action in food systems.

The meeting was led by the Acting Vice Chancellor and aimed to inform university leadership about the Hub’s purpose and planned activities. The Hub, launched in October 2025, is an initiative under AgriFose2030.

Why the Hub Matters

The Hub aims to:

• Integrate science translation into university curricula and research

• Increase the impact of research on food systems policy

• Promote evidence-based decision-making in agriculture and food security

UoN’s Role and Vision

UoN has been implementing AgriFose2030 for 10 years.

During the event, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, UoN Vice Chancellor, said the Hub aligns with the university’s mandate to transform society through research. She noted that universities should lead policy influence rather than waiting for policymakers to approach them.

The Hub will train scientists through specialized courses in:

• Systematic review

• Science translation

• Theory of change

Key Message from Hub Leader

Prof. Cecilia Anyango, Hub Leader at UoN, said many research findings fail to impact communities because they are not aligned with policy needs.

She highlighted that the Hub will focus on improving:

• Food and extension systems governance

• Agricultural resilience

• Environmental sustainability

Partner Universities and Support

The Hub brings together:

• University of Nairobi

• Maseno University

• University of Embu

The meeting was attended by:

• Prof. Julius Nyabundi – Vice Chancellor, Maseno University

• Prof. Daniel Mugendi – Vice Chancellor, Embu University

• Other hub leaders and senior staff

The vice chancellors offered guidance on how to institutionalize the Hub and strengthen collaboration with government stakeholders.

What’s Next

The Hub will soon announce:

• Training opportunities for early career researchers
  (Theory of change & science communication)

• A taskforce to bring together stakeholders from government, academia, private and public sectors

The taskforce will develop policy briefs to influence food systems policies in Kenya.