CHReaD Champions Science, Innovation and Public Trust

By Christopher mbiti 

Nairobi Kenya 8 September 2026
The Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHReaD), hosted by Amref Health Africa, has today opened a three-day Culture of Science Conference in Nairobi, bringing together researchers, policymakers, innovators and other stakeholders to discuss the role of science and research in shaping Africa’s future.

The conference, being held from September 8 to 10 at Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel, is focusing on strengthening Africa’s culture of science while promoting research, innovation, evidence-based policymaking and public trust in scientific information.The conference was officially opened by the member of Parliament Matungulu constituency 
Speaking during the official opening of the conference, Hon. Mule called on scientists and researchers to actively participate in policy formulation, legislative processes and national budget-making, saying scientific discoveries risk remaining confined to laboratories if researchers are not involved in the decisions that determine how their work is funded and implemented.
“Scientists and researchers should not only come to Parliament when they need a new law. They must be part of the conversation from the beginning — engaging in policy formulation, legislation and budget-making processes — because that is where the decisions that determine whether science succeeds or waits are made,” said Mule.

The conference is expected to provide a platform for experts from different sectors to share experiences and explore practical approaches that can help position science and innovation as key drivers of Africa’s development.

Speaking during the opening of the conference, CHReaD Chairperson Mary Muia said the forum will examine how policy and regulation can support rather than hinder research, innovation and scientific advancement.
She said the conference will also celebrate research and innovation across emerging and critical areas, including genomics, artificial intelligence and local manufacturing.

Muia, however, identified public trust and misinformation as some of the major challenges facing science today, calling for greater reliance on evidence-based information.

“We really want to confront misinformation through evidence and science and make that our culture.”

She said strengthening the connection between scientific evidence and public communication is critical in ensuring that accurate information reaches communities, particularly at a time when misinformation is increasingly widespread.

The three-day conference is expected to provide a platform for scientists, policymakers, legislators and other stakeholders to explore ways of strengthening the connection between science and decision-making while promoting greater investment in research and innovation.
Ends.

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