IAEA Assess Chuka’s Future Centre of Excellence

Science, innovation and ambition converged at Chuka University as plans for a future Centre of Excellence moved a step closer to reality during a high-level assessment visit under the four-year project aimed at transforming Kenya’s food systems using nuclear safety-compliant technologies supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Dr. Amal Elrefasi from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accompanied by a delegation from the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NUPEA), toured the proposed laboratories and related facilities to assess their adequacy and determine the level of support required for the establishment and operationalization of the centre. The assessment focused on the availability of laboratory infrastructure, equipment and institutional capacity needed to support advanced research and training programmes.

The project, titled “Improving Mixed Crop-Livestock Production Systems in Kenya using Nuclear Safety-Compliant Technologies for Enhanced Food Security,” will run from 2026 to 2029 and contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 2 – ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture. The goal of the project is in animal breeding and fertility, animal and plant genomics, water and soil evaluations, and food safety laboratory development aimed at strengthening sustainable agricultural systems and scientific research capacity. The project grant, valued at €1,059,943 from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), seeks to establish a nationally shareable food security centre at Chuka. The research initiative is led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Henry Mutembei as the Principal Investigator, with co-investigators Prof. Eunice Githae, Prof. Moses Muraya, Prof. Paul Kamweru, and Prof. Joel Gichumbi.

The university management led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Mutembei accompanied the visitors during the inspection exercise, which forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen scientific research, innovation and technical capacity development. The proposed Centre of Excellence is expected to enhance research opportunities and specialized training in areas supported through the IAEA grant.

The visit underscored the growing collaboration between the university, IAEA and NUPEA in advancing research infrastructure and promoting scientific development aligned with national and regional priorities enhancing food security.