Dagoretti South Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Communication, Information, and Innovation (CII) Committee, Hon. John Kiarie, has introduced amendments to the Science, Technology, and Innovation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Presented on Tuesday in Parliament, the amendments seek to establish a dedicated Centre of Science and Technology and to separate Science Museums from the National Museum.
The proposed changes, currently undergoing pre-publication scrutiny by the CII Committee, aim to reshape Kenya’s scientific landscape.
The original Science, Technology, and Innovation Act of 2013 was enacted to promote, coordinate, and regulate the progress of science and technology in Kenya. The new amendments are expected to elevate the country’s status in the global scientific community.
Durinng the presentation ,Kiarie emphasized the need for Africa to catch up in scientific and technological advancements, highlighting that the continent has lagged in the past three industrial revolutions.
He revealed that the Global Science Museum Group is eager to partner with Kenya in establishing its first Science Museum, an institution poised to collect comprehensive data, enrich academia, and attract international researchers.
“Science museums are thriving and self-sustaining where they exist,” noted Hon. Kiarie. “They can significantly contribute to academic enrichment and global research collaboration.”
Despite the enthusiasm, some legislators expressed concerns about the sustainability of the proposed Science Museums.
Hon. Kitur of Nandi Hills pointed out the aggressive technological adoption by Kenyans and questioned the long-term viability of these institutions.
In response, Hon. Kiarie underscored the importance of preserving Africa’s scientific heritage and educating future generations.
“Our current generations don’t know about telegrams, dial phones, or the communication evolution in Kenya,” he remarked. “The need is there for Africa to curate its scientific knowledge. Africa needs to centralize its emerging tech and innovators. We need to stop playing catch up.”
Hon. Kiarie further elaborated on the untapped potential of African stories and innovations, citing historical achievements like the construction of the Egyptian pyramids and the creation of sanitation systems in Europe by Black Moors in 1711.
“No one tells us of our scientific geniuses, and we aren’t preserving the science evolution,” he emphasized.
The Committee agreed on the necessity to alter the perception that Africa lacks the intellectual capacity to revolutionize the world.
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They acknowledged the presence of scientific geniuses and innovators within the continent, necessitating specialized institutions like Science Museums.
When questioned about integrating the functions of the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) or the Information and Communication Technology Authority (ICTA) into the Science Museums, Hon. Kiarie argued for specialization.
“Each museum has unique, distinct functions. Let it be specialized,” he asserted.
Hon. Kiarie concluded by highlighting the crucial role of science museums in advancing technological innovation, preserving scientific history, and fostering a culture of research and development in Kenya.
