UoN advances Knowledge Transfer through the newly Launched KATIC
On Thursday, August 14, 2025 history was made as the University of Nairobi through its partnership with Elgon Kenya launched the Kantaria Agricultural Technological and Innovation Center (KATIC) at the Upper Kabete Campus.
KATIC is an Agricultural Innovation hub that has been born from the Industry- Academia partnership. The Kshs. 80M innovation hub will bridge the theory and practice, host innovations in farming and work with the farmers and the community in implementing the Innovations.
The First Lady of Kenya, Her Excellency Mama Rachel Ruto presided over the colourful ceremony that was well attended by farmers, students, Government representatives and Industry.
Speaking during the Ceremony, the first lady of Kenya applauded Elgon Kenya and the University of Nairobi for this amazing initiative that will empower the Kenyan youth, ‘KATIC is our answer. A place where knowledge meets the soil, where farmers test solutions, and where youth and women are empowered to turn ideas into lucrative ventures. Through training, internships, and incubation programs, KATIC will open new pathways for prosperity, productivity, and entrepreneurship.’
She underscored the importance of Youth participation in the Food Security through the BETA Government Initiative, ‘The President’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) focuses on transforming agriculture to improve livelihoods, food security, and the overall economy. The President believes that when we equip our farmers with the best tools, knowledge, and technology, we secure not just our harvests, but our nation’s future. Today, we gather to open the Kantaria Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC), a bold and visionary space born from the collaboration between the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Limited. This innovation center is a seed of transformation, blending the wisdom of academia, the drive of enterprise, and the aspirations of a nation ready to reimagine agriculture.’
‘What truly sets KATIC apart is its hub-and-spoke model. The Hub, anchored here at the University, will drive research and innovation. The Spokes, across TVET institutions, Ministry of Agriculture centres, and community platforms, will take those ideas to farmers, schools, and local markets.’
‘ For the longest time, youth in Kenya have not been interested in Agriculture. It is about time that we interest them with these latest innovations in agriculture so that we get them on board,’ remarked, Hon. Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports. He called on the Government, Industry and Academia to create an enabling environment for the youth to take part in Food security initiatives.
Dr. Paul Ronoh, the PS, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Department, State Department for Agriculture echoed the same sentiments, ‘Investing in Agriculture, innovating within agriculture and bringing in the youth and Women will transform this country in a big way.’
He commended the University for taking up this leadership role and initiative of such magnitude and with transformative impact in the community.’
The PS, Ministry of Education, Department of TVET , Dr. Esther Muoria set the tone by emphasizing the need for such collaborations, she noted, ‘ This is a milestone in training in Agriculture. We want to link training with every sector. We want to link our students with the different special skills within the Agri-culture. We should now drop words like internship and attachment and take up and say, Training with industry,'
Dr. Bimal Kantaria, the Managing Director, Elgon Kenya, narrated the inspiration of establishing the centre and defined the role of KATIC, ‘ I was born and raised in Kenya, we have been running the same business in four generations, and we will pass it down to the 5th Generation. Elgon Kenya Limited is the largest Agri-input company in kenya. Over the years, we have participated and worked closely with the Government on feeding programmes and sustainability initiatives within different communities. We have built this KATIC Centre as a legacy to my father, my family and to sharpen the skills of University of Nairobi brilliant students.
While delivering the open remarks, the Chair of Council, Prof. Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha was elated to see the launch of KATIC. He welcomed the guests and highlighted the important role that KATIC will play ‘It is a hub for educating and training our youth in practical agricultural technologies and innovations; it is a conduit for empowering our farmers through targeted training and demonstrations that will lead to increased productivity and income; and, as a public university, we will leverage this center to support our national development goals—addressing unemployment, boosting food security, and generating revenue through agribusiness value chains.’
KATIC exemplifies a classic and successful model of collaboration—where academia meets the industry—creating a dynamic platform to enhance agricultural productivity and promote food security across Kenya and the region.
The delegation of guests visited the agricultural innovation exhibition, unveiled the plaque and the first lady planted a commemorative tree.
