Mombasa: The Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Research, Science and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, has called for integration of research and innovation to drive socio-economic transformation through the blue economy. Speaking in Mombasa during the closing of a three-day Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit organized by Sote Hub, Prof. Abdulrazak emphasized the need for concrete strategies to translate the sector’s potential into tangible benefits.

According to Kenya News Agency, Prof. Abdulrazak highlighted that while the blue economy holds immense potential, much of it remains untapped. He stressed the urgent need to address plastic waste, which is threatening marine life, warning that if urgent action is not taken, people may consume more microplastics than fish in the future. He called for consolidated efforts and noted that the government has relevant policies in place, with others in the pipeline, to enhance the involvement of startups, incubations, hubs, and innovation centers.

Furthermore, Prof. Abdulrazak underscored the need for Kenya’s youth to have the space to expand their knowledge and ideas into prototypes and research into commercialization. He also advocated for the protection and sustainable exploitation of Kenya’s 630 kilometers of coastline and over 200 nautical miles in the Exclusive Economic Zone in the Indian Ocean. He stated that currently, only an estimated one percent of this area is protected and called for the development of more policies and mechanisms to increase protection to 30 percent.

Youths were encouraged to seize funding opportunities from the Kenya National Innovation Agency, the National Research Fund, and financial institutions. UN Habitat Assistant Secretary General Michal Mlyn¡r noted that the blue economy represents a transformative opportunity for Kenya and called for introducing exposure to the blue economy from the school level to prepare learners for future opportunities.

Sote Hub Director David Ogiga added that the organization plans to rally more than 100 innovation hubs across the country to partner with the government and create an enabling environment for startups and innovators to thrive.