Co-founders Ruth Wanjala Juliette Mutheu

Co-founders
Ruth Wanjala
Juliette Mutheu

• 2002 Ubuntu Minute on Science and Technology for
Sustainable Development - Science, Research, Technology and
Innovation are indispensable fundamental engines of sustainable
development.
• 2003 NEPAD Workshop on Developing a Shared
Pl Platform tf for f Science S i and d Technology T h l for f Af Africa’s i ’
Development - acknowledged the need for science and technology
to be championed as priority instruments of economic and social
development at the highest level of government

• African Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology (AMCOST)
2006 Plan of Action - indicates that scientific and technological development cannot be
achieved in Africa without the participation and support of the populace and their political institutions.
According to this Plan of Action Action, scientific and technological development requires active engagement
of policymakers, politicians, youth, women, private industry and other groups of stakeholders

� A science café/cafe scientifique is a forum for discussing/debating topical and
thought provoking scientific issues with the public in a relaxed, informal,
accessible manner in the presence of the media media.
�� Regular meetings are organized in a café/bar or any other informal setting
where one or several scientists are invited to talk in layman's terms about
their work in a topical or even controversial area. The events are known for
their informal and friendly atmosphere.

� In 1997, Marc Sautet started Café Philosophique in France
� In 1998, Duncan Dallas replicated the idea to Café Scientific/Science Café
� By the year 2000 the Cafe scientific model had been dapated in Europe, SE Asia, the
Americas, Australia etc.
� IIn 2007 2007, 23 young Af African i science i communicators i t iintroduced t d d tto th the Si Science
Café concept, in South Africa, British Council seminar
� In 2008 two young Kenyans set up the Kenya Science Cafés (after Egypt
� In 2008, two young Kenyans set-up the Kenya Science Cafés (after Egypt,
Cameroon, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda). Malawi Science Cafés begun in 2009.

� Informal dialogue forums on topical
scientific issues in Kenya
� HHeld ld in i CCoffee ff h houses within i hi NNairobi: i bi
Weekday evenings from 6-8pm or
Saturday Afternoons 1- 4pm
� Introduction>Questions>Discussion
� In attendance Scientists (guest speakers),
public majority of whom are of non
scientific backgrounds, Media and
government personnel.
� Advertised through: Email (Cafe
� Advertised through: Email (Cafe
database), Facebook, Twitter,
KenyaBuzz.

� Importance of Science in Africa and its potential impact
in development
� Meaningful scientific information shelved and was not
getting out to the public
�� Kenyans asking questions and not really getting
answers
� Frustration with improper/incorrect media coverage on
health and science research
� Novelty and Informalities of Science Cafés
� Create a “Science Culture” and an appreciation for
� Create a Science Culture and an appreciation for
Science in Kenya as opposed to entertainment and
political culture

HIV Vaccine
Malaria the research in Kenya and East Africa
Climate Change Childhood Mortality: Why So High?
The Role of Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention
Women’s Health
Using maps to get informed on Health, Environment and Technology
Science Medical and Research Ethics in Kenya.
Cancer Cancer in in Kenya Kenya Men’s Men s Health Health Issues Issues
Will the Fibre Optic Cable change the lives of Kenyans?

Kenyan Science Cafés,
c/o KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
P.O. Box 43640 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 20 2715160/2720163/2719936
Email:
Juliette Mutheu: jmutheu@nairobi jmutheu@nairobi.kemri-wellcome.org
kemri wellcome org
Ruth Wanjala: rwanjala@nairobi.kemri-wellcome.org
kenyan.scicafe@gmail.com
Blog: http://kenyanscicafe.blog.com/
Twitter:http://twitter.com/KenyanSciCafe
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/