By Frank Okello
Journalists and scientists should work together to turn research into real-life impact.
These sentiments were shared during the inaugural National Science Research Translation Congress hosted by The Star in partnership with the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC).
The congress themed “From Evidence to Action” brought together minds from academia, the media, and public institutions to rethink how science can better inform national development and public health.
Opening the discussion, Paul Ilado, Editorial Director at Radio Africa Group, urged journalists to be at the heart of translating complex scientific work into stories that ordinary citizens can relate to.
“We are here to bridge scientific research and actionable policy,” he said. Ilado emphasized that any work serving public interest deserves to be reported, noting that the media must amplify the voices of scientists using modern digital tools such as LinkedIn and X.
Representing the host institution, Mamadou Diallo, Head of Policy, Engagement and Communications at APHRC, painted a sobering picture of research wastage in Africa.
“About 80 to 83% of research resources are wasted because they are never translated into policies that touch lives,” he lamented. Diallo called for collective action between journalists and scientists, stressing that collaboration is key to ensuring research drives policy and societal change.
Prof. Violet Naanyu, Associate Professor at Moi University and senior researcher at AMPATH, brought an impassioned plea for Africa to lead its own research agenda.
“We must build and value our own career researchers who understand the realities of our healthcare systems and development needs,” she said.
Naanyu challenged institutions to nurture young African researchers and reduce dependence on donor-funded projects that sometimes dictate local priorities.
The panel discussion explored how scientific evidence can be translated into policy.
Dr. Dorothy Njoroge, Assistant Professor of Communication, United States International University (USIU)-Africa cautioned that research often becomes donor-driven and fails to address local needs. “Research is expensive, but that should not strip us of our unique agenda,” she said.
Anne Mawathe, Editor-in-Chief, Defrontera Media, reminded journalists that science can be made consumable through storytelling. “We need to make science feel real, relevant and human,” she said, urging scientists to treat journalists as allies rather than outsiders.
Dr. Chris Barasa, CEO, Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK), highlighted the vital role faith-based institutions play, noting that they provide nearly 40 % of healthcare services in Kenya.
He spoke about CHAK’s ongoing efforts to sustain HIV funding beyond 2026 as donor support declines, emphasizing that community-level healthcare relies heavily on research-backed advocacy.
Dr. Loice Achieng’ Ombajo, Co-Director, Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Nairobi, underscored that researchers must budget for communication and engage media strategically. “The best answer you can give a policymaker is a question they’ve been asking,” she remarked, stressing that scientists should frame their findings in ways that provoke thought and action.
Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director-General at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making. “Research provides the avenue for making informed choices,” he said.
Acknowledging changing donor landscapes, Dr. Amoth said Kenya is now leveraging the National Treasury to fund health research locally. “Young scientists and innovators represent the future of our healthcare,” he added.
