The First Lady, H.E. Mrs Rachel Ruto with UoN Management during the launch of the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre.
The University of Nairobi, in partnership with Elgon Kenya Ltd, officially launched the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC) at its Upper Kabete Campus on August 14, 2025. This marked a major milestone in bridging the gap between academia and industry in Kenya’s agricultural sector.
The launch was graced by H.E. the First Lady, Mrs. Rachel Ruto, who served as the Chief Guest. She was accompanied by the Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Salim Mvurya, the Technical, Vocational Education, and Training Principal Secretary, Dr. Esther Mworia, and the Agriculture Principal Secretary, Dr. Kiprono Ronoh.
Also in attendance were Prof. Chacha Nyaigotti, the newly appointed Chair of the University of Nairobi Council; Prof. Ayub Gitau, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, representing Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson; Dr. Bimal Kantaria, Managing Director of Elgon Kenya Ltd.; members of the Diplomatic Corps; faculty representatives; and student leaders.
Speaking during the ceremony, the First Lady commended the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Ltd for their forward-thinking partnership, describing KATIC as “a model for transforming agriculture through innovation, research, and youth empowerment.” She noted that the facility would provide hands-on skills to students while enabling researchers and industry players to co-create solutions to challenges facing modern agriculture.
KATIC will serve as a hub for agricultural research, technology transfer, innovation incubation, and skills development, offering students practical exposure to industry standards while helping farmers and agribusiness players access the latest advancements in crop production, post-harvest management, and value addition.
Prof. Gitau reaffirmed the University’s commitment to linking education with real-world application, emphasising that the facility would enhance the employability of graduates and boost the country’s food security agenda. Dr. Bimal Kantaria highlighted the centre’s role in nurturing agri-preneurs and creating market-ready innovations, stressing that bridging the academia-industry gap was critical for Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
The launch featured a guided tour of the facility’s demonstration farms, laboratories, and innovation spaces, with students showcasing prototypes and projects developed under the University’s agricultural programs.
With its strong collaborative framework, KATIC is poised to become a regional centre of excellence, positioning Kenya at the forefront of agricultural innovation in Africa.
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