President William Ruto has introduced a new State Department under the Ministry of Education as part of his latest government reshuffle, aiming to enhance the country’s research and innovation sector.
In an Executive Order released on March 20, 2025, Ruto announced the creation of the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, which will be incorporated into the Ministry of Education.
Previously, the Education Ministry operated with three key state departments: Basic Education, Higher Education and Research, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
As part of the restructuring, Ruto has nominated Professor Shaukat Abdulrazak as the Principal Secretary to lead the newly created department which has been hived off from that of Higher Education currently held by Beatrice Inyangala, pending parliamentary approval.
“In that regard, it is notified that His Excellency the President has, in exercise of the prerogative conferred on the Head of State and Government by Article 132 of the Constitution to direct and coordinate the functions of Ministries and Government Departments, made the following changes: Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat, State Department for Science, Research & Innovation – Ministry of Education,” the statement reads.
Who is Shaukat Abdulrazak?
The newly appointed Principal Secretary, Abdulrazak, is an internationally recognized academic and administrator with over 30 years of experience in science, technology, and innovation.
He is currently the Director for the Division for Africa at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), where he facilitates technical cooperation in areas such as food and agriculture, health, industrial applications, and nuclear energy.
Abdulrazak has previously held significant positions in Kenya’s research and academic sectors, including serving as the CEO of the Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (KNSTI) from 2008 to 2014, as the Vice-Chancellor of Umma University, and as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Egerton University.
Additionally, he has served as the former Chair of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, a Board Member at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), and as a Governor of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB).
He is also a member of the Kenya National Economic and Social Council.
Abdulrazak holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Aberdeen (UK) and has completed postdoctoral studies at Shimane University in Japan.
He completed his undergraduate studies at Egerton University.
Other ministry changes
In the reshuffle, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, who has held the position since 2022, has been transferred to the Immigration and Citizen Services section.
He is replaced by Julius Bitok, who has been serving in the Immigration docket.
