There is need to strengthen research institutions in the country, the National Council for Science and Technology CEO Prof Shaukat Abdulrazak has said.

Abdulrazak said the research institutions need to be expanded so that research carried out in the country is increased to accommodate other sectors of the economy.

Kenya has about 15 research institutions but there is none dealing in space science, nano technology, nuclear science, biotechnology, oil sector among other fields.

He was speaking in Mombasa where the staff of the institution met for three days to form regulations for the new commission after President Kibaki passed law to change the council into a commission in January.

The council is awaiting gazettement to effectively change its status to become the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation.

"We must be able to put in place programmes that research institutions can follow. Our duty is to ensure that we get value for the money that is set aside for research," said Abdulrazak.

Higher Education PS Crispus Kiamba said the government has a responsibility to ensure it creates an enabling environment for research in the country.

He said the soon-to-be new commission should endeavour to acquaint itself with all the research that is being conducted in the country.

"You must have a continuous relationship with the universities and other institutions of higher learning. That is where 90 per cent of the researches take place," said Kiamba. Kiamba and Abdulrazak said Kenya's research institutions must be of the same standards as those in the developed world.