The Kenya National Innovation Agency (KeNIA) has set up a National Innovation Technical Committee that will help build a comprehensive and inclusive framework for nurturing startups.

KeNIA says the committee framework will conduct the nurturing at a national scale and support in planning and execution of national activities coordinated by the agency.

The committee, set up by the KeNIA Board of Directors, will advise and back the CEO and KeNIA board regularly and help found necessary linkages to aid the agency to deliver on its mandate.

The team comprises of KeNIA CEO Dr Tonny Omwansa, Dr Shikoh Gitau, Dr George Kosimbei, Tania Ngima, Ali Hussein, Florence Kimata, Jonas Tesfu, Harry Hare, Bernard Chiira, and Stephen Gugu.

According to the agency, the members of the committee will serve for a minimum of one year and a maximum term of three years.

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It added that the committee membership is voluntary chance by the chosen members to make a difference in the Kenya Innovation System.

“We are excited to have the team volunteer their time in supporting the innovation and entrepreneurship drive that KeNIA is embarking on,” said KeNIA Board chairman Prof Reuben Marwanga.

He added, “We are confident that their contribution will go a long way in making sure that we deliver on our mandate.”

The members of the committee were picked from different sectors including academia, investment, business development, management and startup mentorship and coaching.

“We have diverse skillsets in the committee which gives us an opportunity to leverage not just on their skillsets but their diverse networks as well,” said Dr Omwansa.

“I am humbled to serve in the technical committee of such an important agency in the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem. Having worked in the ecosystem for the last ten years, I am looking forward to sharing lessons learnt that will propel our country into the next level,” said Harry Hare, who will chair the committee.

The committee will meet at least once every two months and will at any given time involve the agency’s CEO, representatives from Government Agencies, Academic/research institutions, Private Sector, Investor Network, Development Sector and the Startup network.

The agency said the constitutional gender rule and youth representation will be strictly adhered to, and other individuals maybe coopted with the consideration of the KeNIA board.