Summary：**PS Shaukat Calls for Immediate Action on Research Commercialisation During KIRDI Visit****Introduc

**PS Shaukat Calls for Immediate Action on Research Commercialisation During KIRDI Visit**

**Introduction**
During a recent tour of the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Principal Secretary for Industry, Trade and Enterprise Development, Dr. Shaukat Abdulrazak, urged stakeholders to accelerate the conversion of laboratory breakthroughs into market‑ready products. His remarks, delivered amid a showcase of emerging agro‑processing and renewable‑energy prototypes, highlighted a growing concern that Kenya’s robust research output remains under‑utilised in the commercial sphere.

**Key Developments**
PS Shaukat walked through KIRDI’s pilot plants, observing innovations such as drought‑tolerant seed coatings, low‑cost solar dryers, and biodegradable packaging materials. He noted that while several projects have reached technology readiness levels suitable for scaling, only a fraction have secured private‑sector partnerships or venture funding. The PS announced the formation of a fast‑track inter‑ministerial task force aimed at streamlining intellectual property (IP) registration, facilitating access to seed capital, and creating a one‑stop shop for technology transfer offices. He also called on universities and research councils to align their grant criteria with commercial viability metrics, ensuring that public funding incentives reward both scientific excellence and entrepreneurial potential.

**Industry Analysis**
Kenya’s research ecosystem has produced over 1,200 patents in the last five years, yet the World Bank’s 2023 Innovation Index shows the country lagging in the “commercialisation of research” sub‑indicator. Analysts attribute this gap to fragmented support mechanisms, limited early‑stage financing, and a cultural aversion among academics to engage with industry. The PS’s push for a coordinated task force mirrors successful models in Rwanda and Ethiopia, where dedicated innovation hubs have cut the average time from prototype to market by 40 %. Moreover, the emphasis on IP reform addresses a critical bottleneck: lengthy patent approvals deter investors who fear protracted legal uncertainty.

**Future Outlook**
If the proposed measures are implemented swiftly, stakeholders anticipate a surge in spin‑off companies within the next 18‑24