A strong call for practical, solution-driven innovation dominated the opening of Multimedia University of Kenya’s (MMU) 2026 Innovation Week, as speakers delivered clarion call to students to develop ideas that directly address societal needs.
In his keynote address, Eng. Shammah Kiteme, who is also the President of Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK), challenged participants to rethink innovation beyond theory, urging them to focus on solving pressing challenges facing society.
“We must think about innovation in ways that are going to transform our society. If what you are doing does not solve a problem, then your innovation will have a question mark,” he said.
Eng. Kiteme pointed out key sectors such as food security, healthcare and mobility as areas where young innovators can focus on to make meaningful impact, noting that solutions in these spaces directly improve livelihoods and national productivity.
He further challenged students to embrace manufacturing as a pathway to economic transformation, urging them to shift focus from service industry and consumption to local production.
“We must convert our go-downs into manufacturing industries. If it is toothpicks, why don’t you manufacture them here?” he posed.
MMU Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs Research and Innovation Prof. Livingstone Ngoo urged students to align research and innovation with real societal challenges, emphasizing that ideas must go beyond academic exercise.
“Research and innovation are among the most powerful drivers of economic growth. They must be geared towards solving pressing societal problems,” he said.
Prof. Ngoo noted that Kenya’s development ambitions, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, depend heavily on the country’s ability to harness creativity, knowledge and technology.
He challenged universities to play a more deliberate role in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, while urging students to position themselves as job creators rather than job seekers.
“The youth occupy a central position in research and innovation. This is both an opportunity and a responsibility to drive economic growth and position Kenya as a hub of creativity,” he added.
Also present was Director, Research and Innovation Dr. David Wekesa, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Prof. Abel Mayaka, Innovation Week Co-Lead, Bornface Ochieng among others.
The three-day event, running from April 28 to 30 under the theme “Harnessing Creativity for Innovation,” has brought together students, academia and industry players to explore how innovation can be translated into real-world impact.
The event will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions and industry engagement sessions with global technology firms such as Google, IBM, Huawei and Oracle, alongside workshops on emerging fields including IoT and renewable energy.
Students will also showcase their innovations through project exhibitions, with the event culminating in an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding projects.
By Nicanor Ndiege