Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho has been appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Transformative Research and Development (CETRAD) following its relaunch at the University of Nairobi.
The appointment was announced on Thursday, October 29, during an event that brought together representatives from the government, the University of Nairobi and the University of Bern.
CETRAD was established in 1976. Its relaunch brings the three institutions together to strengthen research and innovation aimed at addressing challenges facing communities in Kenya and the wider region.
Kimotho, who heads the State Department for Irrigation, is expected to lead the trust as it begins a new phase of its work.
The relaunch was preceded by a meeting of the Board of Trustees to constitute a new board. CETRAD Director Boniface Kiteme chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives from the three partner institutions.
Among those present were University of Nairobi representative Prof. Jack Odhiambo, University of Bern representatives Prof. Thomas Breu and Dr Theresia Tribaldos, Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui and Director of Irrigation Water Management Maurice Opondo.
Odhiambo reaffirmed the University of Nairobi’s commitment to the partnership, noting the benefits the institution had gained from its long-standing relationship with CETRAD.
He said the university would continue working with the trust to support its objectives in the region.
Tanui, who represented Kimotho at the meeting, said the State Department for Irrigation was committed to supporting CETRAD’s mandate.
He also pointed to the role the trust could play in implementing the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), the country’s 10-year blueprint for irrigation development.
Breu, on his part, reaffirmed the University of Bern’s commitment to the partnership and its continued support for the trust.
Under the arrangement, the State Department for Irrigation will represent the government’s interests and link CETRAD’s work to national policies. The University of Bern will provide academic and research support, while the University of Nairobi will contribute its faculty expertise, research facilities and student participation.
The relaunch is expected to strengthen cooperation between the institutions as they pursue research and innovation initiatives aimed at benefiting communities in Kenya and the region.
