• Version
• Download 7
• File Size 318.56 KB
• File Count 1
• Create Date August 8, 2025
• Last Updated August 8, 2025

Speech by Dr. Tonny Omwansa, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Innovation Agency Guest Speaker

SPEECH BY TONNY OMWANSA,CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,KENYA NATIONAL INNOVATION AGENCY

 GUEST SPEAKER DURING THEMOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY 27^TH GRADUATION CEREMONY

 GRADUATION THEME: CATALYZING INNOVATION: UNIVERSITIES AS DRIVERS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 ON  FRIDAY 8^TH AUGUST, 2025 AT

MOUNT KENYA UNIVERSITY HAPPY VALLEY GROUNDS, THIKA

• Salutation
• The Chancellor, Prof. John Struthers,
• Chancellor Designate, Mount Kigali University Rwanda, Prof. Egara Kabaji,
• Archbishop Anthony Muheria, Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Nyeri,
• Members of the University Board of Directors,
• The Chairman of the University Council, Dr. Vincent Gaitho,
• Members of the University Council,
• Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi,
• Vice-Chancellor, Mount Kigali University, Rwanda, Dr. Martin Kimemia,
• Vice-Chancellors and Representatives present,
• Members of the University Management Board and Senate,
• Invited Distinguished Guests,
• Mount Kenya University Staff,
• Parents and Guardians,
• Graduands and Students,
• Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning!!

• Preliminaries

I bring warm greetings to you from the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  I am also happy and privileged to be here to serve as the Guest Speaker during today’s 27^th Graduation Ceremony of Mount Kenya University.

• The Theme of Today’s Ceremony as a Vital Guide in the Higher Education Sector in Contemporary Times

Mr. Chancellor Sir, today, we are marking an extraordinary milestone during this ceremony as summed up by the Theme of this ceremony. The transformative power of Innovation and Artifical Intelligence within the Higher Education Institutions in today’s world have emerged as critical components in the education and research ecosystem. We are more than ever focusing on 21^st Century skills, Human-centric approaches, Ethical considerations, Sustainable Development Goals, Entrepreneurial Teaching and Learning as well as Integration of technology in the non-negotiable service of educating society.

The theme, of MKU’s 27^th Graduation ceremony: “Catalyzing Innovation: Universities as Drivers of Artificial Intelligence,” recognizes that universities like MKU are not just consumers of trends but are expected to be catalysts of trends that shape socio-economic development, actively shaping innovation and AI-driven discourse in academia and industry. I am reminded of the difference between a Thermostat and a Thermometer. One shapes the temperature of the environment, while the other responds to the temperature of the environment. Thus, today’s theme is very well aligned to the Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA)’s agenda of building and naturing the country’s innovation ecosystem and I am privileged to speak to it within the context of the Agency Vision and Mission. For example, as an Agency, we are running an Entrpreneneurial Leaders Training Program inspiring Vice-Chancellors as Entrepreneurial Leaders, who embody leadership styles that combine entrepreneurial qualities like risk-taking and innovation with the strategic and organizational skills needed to lead within a higher education institution. These leaders drive change, foster a culture of innovation, and actively seek opportunities for growth and impact within the university and its surrounding community. We also run Research Commercialization programs as well as Innovation award schemes all of which I am aware of beneficiaries from MKU. Particularly, I know that MKU staff have participated in a range of workshops and training programs organized by KeNIA. One example is the Head of Innovation, IP, and Community Engagement from MKU who is the Institutional Innovation Champion and the staff members who were in the recent Research-to-Commercialization workshops.

At the Kenya National Innovation Agency, where I serve as the CEO, we focus on ecosystem building for innovation. Specifically, we are orchestrating  review of relevant policies, activating incentives, supporting infrastructure enhancements to supporting, organising convenings, facilitating linkages, funding early stage innovations, strengthening capacity, causing linkages to markets among others. All these are inputs, which determine how well we do in new products and services development, high value venture creation, startup development among others. All these are viewed within the context of transformation in various clusters and sub-sectors including agriculture, healthcare, education, bio-economy, digital economy and beyond. We also all relate with the impact of AI in these sectors. From personalized learning, automate tasks, and enhanced teaching methods within the education sector, to accelerating innovation and efficiency in drug discovery, agriculture, and sustainable resource management, to improving diagnostic accuracy, streamlining administrative tasks, and potentially reduce healthcare costs.

There is an amazing opportunity for MKU to provide leadership on AI in the region. But the opportunity for leadership will not be given, it’s there to be taken, but may also not be there for too long.

Mr. Chancellor Sir, Mount Kenya University is leading by example given the numerous visible initiatives it has undertaken. The DAAD-funded African Center for Career Enhancement and Skill Support (ACCESS) 2.0 project 2025-2029, MKU is spearheading a common AI-driven entrepreneurship unit and integrating capstone assignments into a spanning 10 local affiliate universities (Tharaka University, Technical University of Kenya, Kenyatta University, Riara, Daystar, Machakos, Karatina, Zetech, Strathmore and Kabarak). By embedding problem-based service-learning in the MBA programs  as well and launching student innovation idea clubs, MKU and its affiliates ensures that graduates emerge with theoretical knowledge as well as real-world entrepreneurial competencies. The Innovation Agency is championing an Entrepreneurial Institutions Maturity Framework among universities, which has nine contracts, one of them being Enhanced Entrepreneurial Education. The ACCESS 2.0 project 2025-2029 is a classic example of an intervention we consider with high regard.

The ACCESS 2.0 project promotes university-business linkages, one of the aspects the Innovation Agency is championing, and contributes towards the Sustainable Development Goal 9 which MKU has also been appointed as the United Nations Academic Impact SDG 9 Hub Chair for Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure from January 2025 to December 2027.

I congratulate MKU for these milestone achievements.

The ACCESS 2.0 project in partnership with Leipzig University and its 10 local affiliate universities has secured €4.5 million or Ksh. 682 million for implementation from 2025 to 2029. The project supports annual student innovation across 9 local affiliate universities under the theme: “Innovate for Impact: Scaling Kenyan MSMEs through SDG 9.” This reflects MKU’s commitment to nurturing graduates who can launch ventures that serve the society. This project was also honoured as one of the top EU-AU Research and Innovation success stories during the SEADE Summit on 4^th December 2024, in Cape Town, South Africa presenting a proud moment for MKU and her partners.

I observed  that in 2024, MKU students did amazingly well at the Ayute Africa Challenge. Their success exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and practical innovation nurtured at MKU. In addition, two MKU students have also been selected for the Africa Graduate Enterprise Academy (AGEA) Start-up Class 2025, a prestigious cohort convening in Leipzig from September 2025 and fully funded by the ACCESS project. The students will gain global mentorship and funding opportunities and gain application-oriented and practice-relevant experience with regard to the management, promotion of their innovation.

We congratulate the two outstanding innovators from MKU representing Kenya on a global stage.

I am further updated of the “Africa Meets Bavaria” project—a two-year initiative funded by the Bavarian State Chancellery and coordinated by MKU’s Innovation and Incubation Centre, which is a bridge connecting African ingenuity with Bavarian innovation. So far, three MKU students have been mentored at the innovation hubs in Munich and have featured in the 27^th MKU graduation documentary. This being a partnership with the Technical University of Munich, the program’s capstone learning visit fosters long-term professional networks and collaborations, advancing the EU-AU innovation agenda and enriching students’ global perspectives.

This sets the stage for me to itemize just a few of the many initiatives from the Innovation Agency KeNIA. These will be in a little more detail with attention to those that would benefit MKU.

Our Research to Commercialization (R2C) Accelerator Programme helps researchers and academics bridge the gap between research ideas and commercial success. The accelerator helps build skills on value proposition design, business modelling, fund raising, user centredness, pitching, team structuring then further linking to investors and commercialization partners through expert coaching and networking. Over the last 2 years, the 25 research-based start-ups that have gone through the program have gone ahead to raise upwards of KShs. 255M on their own, registered 18 new ventures and created 220 new jobs. That’s something to be proud of. This financial year we will run a new call for another cohort, and if you are a researcher keen on building a venture, it’s worth considering the program.

The Kenya Network of Entrepreneurial Institution Leaders (KNEIL) is another platform for institutions. The network by institutional leaders enables them to discuss, co-design and drive solutions to challenges of entrepreneurial and innovation prospects of institutions. The network has Nine (9) founding Vice-Chancellors, and five (5) trustees. The number of universities exploring joining has now risen to 25.

The network has set up a TTOaaS, Venture Builder, Innovation Fund and is designing a range of student focused innovation programs. KNEIL is shaping into a strong platform for university-led innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kenya. I see a place for MKU in the network of entrepreneurial institutions.

The third platform is the Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Institutional Leaders’ Summit (CEIL). This annual forum brings together universities, research institutions, private sector actors, incubators, accelerators, and government institutions to explore how to build sustainable enterprises through innovation. This year’s gathering that will be graced by the Head of Public Service will be held between the 10^th and 12^th September in Mombasa, focusing on Catalysing Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems.

MKU has actively participated in Kenya Innovation Week, and I encourage your faculty and students to explore these additional opportunities, including the Startup School program that supports both faculty who teach entrepreneurship as well as students who desire to be Startup Founders.

I also encourage building relationships with other entities that offer ecosystem development support such as Kenya Intellectual Property Institute (KIPI), Kenya Copyright Board (KeCOBO), Anti Counterfeight Authority (ACA), Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), Konza Technopolis, National Research Fund among others.

I am informed that MKU has an active IP department that has already secured 4 student innovations and is processing 2 faculty innovations for patenting in 2025.

From an innovation standpoint, KeNIA would be very keen to support the office through an IP excellence program to enhance the effectiveness of the office. One of the lessons I have learnt is that to increase the outputs of the IP office, it has to shift from waiting for students and faculty, to pursuing the researchers and innovators at their desks. For example, I am persuaded that no Masters or PhD defence should happen without the IP office’s presence.

The Government has recently set up a State Department for Science, Research and Innovation within the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary. This is now where the Kenya National Innovation Agency, together with NACOSTI and the National Research Fund are domiciled. The three entities have specific initiatives targeting universities in accelerating technology adoption and commercialization.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak is a renowned scientist, diplomat and effective leader whom has hit the ground running and has brought in renewed energy and focus for the sector.

• To the Class of 2025 - 27^th Graduation Ceremony

You stand at the frontier of a new era. With AI, you can not only innovate, but you can transform lives. For inspiration, look at MKU’s past graduates, look at other students from other universities already creating social impact through tech. If you needed a database of such, come to the Innovation Agency. As you step into the world, remember the following:

1. Continue to Learn and Unlearn

Whichever route you take, you will need to continue learning and unlearning. The learning may be formal in nature, where you take formal classes, but also informal in nature through peers, experiences, observation, reading among others. The stronger a problem solver you will be, the more valuable you will become.

If you will seek employment, or seek a promotion, the employer is many a time going to see you as someone coming to solve a challenge and you are hired because you proved as the most appropriate candidate to solve the challenges and create the greatest value. To hire or promote you, the employer would be taking a risk. The more you can demonstrate ability to work in teams, bring your unique contribution, handle complexity, communicate effectively, take initiative, creatively think through issues, self-direct and analyse issues broadly, the more an employer is willing to take the risk with you and me.

If then the employment opportunity is about solving problems and challenges for the employer, then the more complexity you can handle, the more challenging problems you can solve, the more you will be compensated. Brand and build yourself as a problem solver in your domain, and you will be rewarded.

I will discourage you from carrying an ‘entitlement spirit’ that because you have a degree or diploma, then the world owes you something. Position yourself as a problem solver.

If you are going to build a start-up, the consumer is going to pay for the service because it is either the best pain reliever or the service is the best in creating gains to their lives. The point being, you will succeed best if you sharpen your abilities to identify and define good problems in society, then create scalable solutions and consistently work through the development of those solutions into sustainable enterprises or institutions.

Fall in love with problems, not ideas. The better you will be in analysing and framing problems, the more likely you will create solutions that will create value in society that users and consumers will be willing to pay for.

1. Evolution of Working

• The worker of yesterday focused on 8AM-5PM; your times are shifting to working any time.
• The worker of yesterday went to an office and operated in a structured environment; your times are shifting to working from anywhere.
• The worker of yesterday climbed up the corporate ladder, the worker of today creates their own ladder.
• The worker of yesterday relied on email to communicate; yet you are aligned to collaboration technologies.
• The student of yesterday focused on knowledge acquisition, while you would rely to adaptive and democratised learning.

These evolutions bring opportunities!

My point here being, there is potential to get a lot done, and thanks to AI, but watch that you do not get too hard on yourself. Enjoy your steps and journey – Life is shot.

1. Support is at Hand

Whatever path to take, there is support around. It may be from family and friends, co-workers, county level programs, donors, private sector, national or global programs. What you will need most is ability to look out and access information, make sense of the information, then make effort to reach out and express yourself clearly. Do follow ups and never give up. Persist.

1. The more things change, the more fundamentals remain the same.

• As we get more and more decentralized, but our values of hard work and honesty should not change.
• As we set our targets to make more money or acquire more skills and grow careers, we never loose sight of care and love and support for each other.
• As we desire and derive satisfaction from getting things faster and with less effort, we don’t loose sight of integrity and rule of law.
• As we cultivate the spirit of competition and desires to get ahead, never loose sight of respect for the Planet, People and Property.
• As we go out, targeting to conquer the world with determination, we keep our side mirrors clear and clean to remind us that we belong to families of parents, siblings and relatives whom we remain connected.

• Conclusion

In Conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen,  innovators often say: “Don’t just learn technology but use it to solve problems.” Let us all arise and Catalyze Innovation, Drive AI and Shape the Future that we all aspire to be in. The world is watching and needs you and I to be the change-agents.

With that, I wish you well as you step out… Make your contribution, a step at a time, and enjoy the steps you make!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL

TONNY OMWANSA

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, KeNIA