Nakuru County has been selected to host the Kenya National Research Festival 2025, a national platform aimed at promoting research-driven innovations and technologies that impact communities, enhance agricultural value chains, and support inclusive economic growth. The festival will be held from 18th to 22nd August 2025 at Egerton University, a leading institution in agricultural education and research.

This was confirmed during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the National Research Fund (NRF) to Nakuru County’s Department of Agriculture. The delegation met with County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Leonard Bor, to discuss collaborative strategies that will ensure the success of the national event.

The National Research Festival 2025 will bring together stakeholders from across the country, including academic institutions, government agencies, private sector players, and grassroots communities. The objective of the event is to showcase and scale up research outcomes that can be applied to real-life challenges facing counties, especially in agriculture and food systems.

CECM Bor welcomed the NRF delegation and reaffirmed the county’s commitment to working with national research institutions to advance food security. He emphasized the importance of integrating research into county agricultural policies, noting that evidence-based planning is key to achieving sustainable agriculture. He added that through continued collaboration, Nakuru County aims to increase the adoption of climate-smart farming practices that respond to changing weather patterns and improve productivity.

The partnership between Nakuru County and the National Research Fund aligns with national efforts to build resilient food systems through research and innovation. By hosting the festival, Nakuru is positioning itself as a hub for agricultural research, with the goal of translating research into practical solutions that benefit farmers, improve food quality, and promote efficient value chains.

Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, Dr. Michael Cheruiyot, also attended the meeting. He highlighted the need to focus on livestock research, especially in improving animal health, productivity, and market access. He noted that research is essential in developing veterinary technologies, improving animal feeds, and enhancing disease surveillance.

The upcoming festival is expected to feature exhibitions, panel discussions, technical workshops, and farmer engagement forums. These activities will create opportunities for researchers to present findings, for farmers to access new technologies, and for policymakers to discuss the integration of research into county development plans.

In addition to agriculture, the event will explore research themes related to climate change, food nutrition, economic resilience, and technology adoption at the grassroots level. Counties will also share experiences on how they are using research to support sustainable development and service delivery.

The selection of Egerton University as the host venue reinforces its role in research and innovation in agriculture and rural development. The university will collaborate closely with the County Government of Nakuru and NRF to coordinate logistics, mobilize stakeholders, and ensure knowledge transfer during the event.

As Nakuru County prepares to host the Kenya National Research Festival 2025, preparations are ongoing to ensure active participation by local farmers, researchers, students, and county officials. The event is expected to strengthen research uptake, encourage inter-county partnerships, and support long-term strategies for food and nutrition security.

The County Government of Nakuru continues to prioritize research, innovation, and strategic partnerships in driving agricultural transformation and economic growth across its wards.