Kenyan lecturers accused of 'stealing' sudents innovative work

By Robert Nyasato

KISII, KENYA: Innovative students are losing out to corrupt lecturers who plagiarize their unpatented works for financial gain, a science and engineering fair heard. 

During the fair dubbed Lake Region Science and Engineering Fair held at Kisii High School, it was revealed that enforcement of intellectual property rights laws was a major challenge that led to the proliferation of the vice. 

Making the revelation, the fair’s regional chairman Zachary Abongo lamented that inventions by students were adopted and improved by some university lecturers who claimed ownership, denying the innovative students  their patent rights. 

“The main challenge we’re facing is that good talent exhibited by students is not patented and some people capitalize on their innovations and make fortunes out of that,” said Abongo. 

Speaking the event that brought together the six counties of Kisii, Migori, Nyamira, Kisumu, Siaya and Homabay, Abongo who is also the national treasurer said it was necessary for the government to establish mechanisms for students to patent their works. 

He said the students’ skills and innovations would be useful in addressing flood and jigger menace. 

Closing the three-day competition on Saturday, Mount Kenya University-Kisii Campus Principal, Prof Constantine Nyamboga advised the students to blend science and arts subjects to enable them pursue innovation and technology related courses at university level.

Prof Nyamboga also asked teachers assist learners embrace other subjects to strengthen their grades.