Makayoto: His language is science

Dr Moses Makayoto at a workshop on Research and Innovation needs in the fields of Renewable Energy Sources in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He chooses his words carefully, his gaze firmly on the audience. In a baritone voice — and with assertiveness and eloquence of an accomplished authority — he delivers the message to a great effect.

Yet this cameo role hardly befitted the man just a few years back.

He was either sweating it out in the laboratory putting together a new innovation or dirtying his hands in the field actualising them.

Indeed, when it comes to science and innovation Dr Moses Makayoto, 64, needs no introduction.

The chief research scientist and head of Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)Enterprise has 15 local and international awards under his belt.

He is also behind several ground-breaking innovations including Mama Safi, a popular detergent in Kenya in the ‘80s and a computer software that reduced the amount of time and resources invested in industrial processes by more than half, among a myriad other innovations.

For his achievements Makayoto was awarded the Order of Grand Warrior in 2004.

He also scooped the International Biographical Centre (IBC) Cambridge, International Scientist of the Year award in 2002 and was listed among top 100 scientists in the world by the organisation the same year.

He also featured in the sixth edition of the prestigious US edition of the Marquis Who’s Who in science engineering in the 21st century” in 2002 and 2003, becoming the first black African to make it into the book.

Locally obtained materials

While working as the chief scientists for East African Industries (Now Unilever East Africa), Makayoto convinced the company to use local resources to manufacture a cost-effective.

“I argued that locally obtained materials could be useful if the right technology was applied,” he recalls. “Armed with this conviction, I approached the company’s executives who bought the idea.”

The new product would become so popular in the local market that it offered stiff competition to the company’s traditional brands, prompting the firm to stop Mama Safi’s  production in 1990.

Makayoto’s knack for innovation started while he was studying for his doctorate in chemical engineering at the Technical University of Norway in 1985, when he developed his first computer software.

Indeed, it was after this software was adopted around the world that Makayoto earned corporate membership in the Chemical Engineering Institute of the United Kingdom, where he is now a chartered engineer.

However Makayoto’s pet innovation remains a pesticide used to control filth fly, especially in crowded environments like refugee camps.

He developed the product while heading the biotechnology research unit at the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology.

“Filth fly was posing serious health risk to refugees in the camp and my team and I decided to do something about it,” he says. “We developed the insecticide from microbes which had no side effects on humans.”

At Kirdi, Makayoto has been developing technologies to help micro and small to medium enterprises and small-scale farmers.

Alternative energy sources

For instance, he spearheaded the development of among other things, honey processing technology, energy efficiency and micro-gene technology for cotton production in the food and technology division.

He has also been involved in programmes to develop efficient ways of using alternative energy sources, including biomass and hydro-power.

But today, the scientist is cutting a niche for himself as an eloquent and motivational science speaker.

He is now ranked as one of the best speakers locally and internationally in matters related to technology, science, research and education.

He was the main speaker at the Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED) conference in Arusha, Tanzania in 2009.

He was elected the speaker from among top African delegates to the World Association for Industrial Technology and Research Organisations meeting in Malaysia.

He was also the speaker and facilitator at the International Development Research Centre and National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovations workshop for the potential chairs for health and agro-related industry among top university administrators in Nairobi.

In 2006, he was invited by Kenyatta University vice chancellor to give a speech on commercialisation of research findings.

In 2009, the British Council invited him as chair panelist and speaker, during the African technology transfer programme.

In the same year, Makayoto, representing, Kirdi, gave a talk in Accra, Ghana that led to International Finance Corporation and the World Bank funding a project code-named Bring Light to Africa, jointly run by Kirdi and an Indian company.

Read the bible

In September this year, he chaired the AITEC meeting on Broadcast, Film and Music in Africa in Nairobi and the East Africa Transport Infrastructure Conference in August.

But just how did he get here?

He cites his upbringing as being behind his oratory skills.

At a tender age, he was always requested to read the Bible at his local church before the pastors started preaching.

This extended to Maseno School where the headteacher always chose him to read the Bible before any visiting pastor would start preaching. “Most of these preachers were actually heads of different high schools,” he recalls.

“I remember one of them, a headteacher of Butere Girls who remarked that this young man will go far. The statement would be repeated by my History teacher.”

In fact his ability to confidently speak infront of gatherings could be responsible for his advancement in education.

He recalls that a professor Akxel Lydersen, a well-known chemical engineering guru from Norway visited Nairobi University in 1977 to get students for masters degree in chemical engineering. His presentation won him the scholarship.

“It was a great speech and the professor said he had to go with me,” he recalls. “

All my achievements have been based on hard work, networking and patience.”

Makoyoto was born in Kendu Bay in Homa Bay County in 1953. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree from Nairobi University in 1977.

In 1979, he obtained a Masters in Science, Chemical Engineering option from Dar es Salaam University before proceeding for his doctorate in Chemical Engineering at the Technical University, Norway in 1985.

He is a member of several professional bodies, including the IBC, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Institute of Chemical Engineers (UK) and Chartered Engineers (UK).

Apart from his position at Kirdi, Makayoto has taught Applied Chemistry at Kenyatta University and was a senior chemical engineer at the Ministry of Energy. He is married with three children.