The Kenya National Academy of Sciences (KNAS) is an independent academic institution, founded on 2 November 1983. KNAS collaborates with the Government of Kenya, scientific organisations, the scientific community, and the public to promote the use of scholarly and scientific knowledge and technology for national development. KNAS encompasses all scientific disciplines, including humanities and technology. It is associated with the International Science Council, the InterAcademy Partnership, and the Network of African Science Academies.

History

KNAS was registered as a learned society by the Registrar of Societies in Kenya on 2 November 1983.^[1] It was established by a group of Kenyan scientists, including Prof. Thomas Odhiambo, Prof. Festo Abby Mutere, Prof. Simeon Hongo Ominde, Prof. Japheth Kimanzi Mati, Prof. Joseph Otieno Malo, Prof. John Kokwaro, etc. They aimed to create an independent body that could offer advice to the government and the public on science, technology, and innovation.^[2][3]

KNAS was founded with the objectives of promoting scientific and technological knowledge, acknowledging significant contributions to science, technology, and innovation, building relationships between Kenyan scientists and the international scientific community, publishing and disseminating scientific knowledge,^[4] collaborating with the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) to promote the development and application of science and technology for national development, offering scientific advice to the Government for policy formulation, and conducting activities in line with the objectives of the academy and in alignment with the constitution (2010) and Vision 2030.^[1][5]

KNAS achieves these objectives through activities such as publications, scientific meetings, public lecture series, Kenya Science Congress, research projects, and consensus studies.^[3]

Membership

The academy provides membership to Kenyan citizens who fulfill certain academic requirements.^[6] The process for membership includes an application and subsequent election, as per the academy's by-laws. KNAS categorises membership into three types: Fellows, Members, and Honorary Fellows. Fellows and Members are identified by the initials FKNAS and MKNAS, respectively, after their names. Honorary Fellows are non-Kenyan scientists who have contributed to science and technology in Kenya or have aided the academy.^[3]

As of 2023, KNAS included 56 Fellows and 114 Members, with individuals such as Prof. Calestous Juma, Prof. Wangari Maathai, Prof. Richard Leakey, Prof. Ali Mazrui, Prof. Julius Kiano, Prof. George Magoha, Prof. Francis Gichaga, Prof. Shem Wandiga, Prof. Raphael Munavu, Prof. Miriam Were, Prof. Catherine Ngila, and Prof. Ruth Oniang'o.^[7]

Activities

KNAS conducts various activities to advance science, technology, and innovation for national development. These activities encompass publishing a biannual scholarly journal, the Journal of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences, which includes all fields of sciences, humanities, and technology. The journal is indexed by African Journals Online and Google Scholar.^[8]

KNAS acknowledges and promotes excellence in scientific research and innovation by conferring prizes and scientific awards. It organises scientific meetings, conferences, symposia, and workshops on diverse topics of national and international interest.^[8]

The academy collaborates with other scientific organisations and academies globally. It is a member of the International Science Council (ISC), the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), and the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC).^[8]

Additionally, KNAS carries out research projects and consensus studies on various nationally significant issues, such as climate change, food security, health, education, energy, and biodiversity. Based on these research projects and studies, KNAS offers evidence-based policy advice and recommendations to the Government and other stakeholders.^[8]

References