Egerton University set to open a Safe Foods Reference Laboratory (SAF- LAB) in Main Campus, Njoro. The SAF-Lab facility funded by the National Research Fund (NRF) at the cost of Ksh. 39 million will innovatively contribute to the Big 4 Agenda, specifically, Food Security.  

On Wednesday, 15 June 2021, a team lead by the Director-General of the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Professor Walter Oyawa visited the University to pursue further research collaborations and opportunities.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac O. Kibwage welcomed the collaboration between NACOSTI, NRF and Egerton University and noted the impact of the SAF Lab facility on food security.

“Food security is a concern for our nation, and it is no longer about how much we produce but also about food safety. The SAF lab facility will address key concerns such as antibiotics residues, aflatoxin, insecticide and pesticide contamination on food crops. The facility will also support the Government’s efforts of meeting food safety standards for export,” Prof. Kibwage said.

Prof. Kibwage further added that the University will support its researchers in seeking viable and self-sustaining infrastructure grants from NRF and other collaborators.

The SAF Lab facility came about when in 2018, Egerton University won an NRF Infrastructure Grant from amongst 32 institutions of higher education that participated in the NRF Call.

The facility will become operational in July 2021, and it will not only enhance the research capacity of academic and technical staff but also provide consultancies in food, feed and water safety, support standardization of food safety control procedure, and complement food safety efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Pest Control Products Board, and the Government Chemist Department.