Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho

The Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, has been appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Centre for Transformative Research and Development (CETRAD) following its relaunch at the University of Nairobi.

The relaunch brings together the Government of Kenya, the University of Nairobi and the University of Bern in a partnership aimed at supporting research and innovation to benefit communities in Kenya and the region.

CETRAD was established in 1976.

The new board is expected to guide the trust’s work, with the State Department for Irrigation linking its activities to national policy, the University of Bern providing academic expertise and research support, and the University of Nairobi contributing faculty expertise, research facilities and student involvement.

The relaunch was preceded by a meeting of the Board of Trustees to constitute a new board, chaired by CETRAD Director Boniface Kiteme.

Those who attended included Prof Jack Odhiambo, representing the University of Nairobi vice-chancellor; Prof Thomas Breu and Dr Theresia Tribaldos of the University of Bern; Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui; and Director of Irrigation Water Management Maurice Opondo.

Odhiambo reaffirmed the University of Nairobi’s commitment to the trust, citing the benefits of its long-standing partnership and pledging continued collaboration towards achieving its goals in the region.

Tanui, who represented Kimotho at the meeting, said the State Department for Irrigation was committed to supporting CETRAD’s mandate.

He highlighted the centre’s expected role in advancing the objectives of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), Kenya’s irrigation blueprint for the next 10 years.

Breu also reaffirmed the University of Bern’s trust in and commitment to the partnership.