Innovations are creations of the mind that lead to the development of new products, processes, or services that benefit society or improve the quality of life. To protect Intellectual property (IP) from the output of our researchers, staff, and students, the University Management established the Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO) office which is housed under the Directorate of Research and Innovation. The office is mandated to promote innovations and Intellectual Property (IP) development and technology transfer from the University to the public.
The office receives and evaluates all innovation and invention disclosures and facilitates the acquisition of IP rights from the relevant authorities. The IPMO strives to sensitize researchers and promote awareness and enthusiasm for generating exploitable IP for the university by organizing training workshops and seminars. So far, several innovations from the University have been protected through patents, utility models, plant breeder’s rights, and copyrights in areas relating to food security, energy (bioenergy utilization), and waste management. The IPMO organizes and participates in annual Innovation Weeks to showcase the inventions and innovations from the University. The office is also committed to the commercialization of innovations and technology transfer of innovations to solve societal problems and contribute to the achievement of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Recent Innovations
From November 2022 to November 2023, a total of 67 innovations were generated from different schools and sections under different categories as shown in Figure 1 below. Most of the innovations have been in agri-technologies, digital technologies, and food security and nutrition from the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, and the School of Engineering.
Number of Innovations in the University over the past 1 year
Patented/Copyrighted Innovations
Table 1 below contains the patented and copyrighted innovations in the University up to June 2023.
| S/N | Title of Invention | Description of Product | Year of Patenting/ Copyrighting | Registration Reference Number | Name of Innovator(S) | Application of Innovation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potato Variety Eldo Amani | Mutant Irish potato with resistance to late blight, and high yielding. Good for processing and table | 2023 | Kenya Gazette notice no. 4515 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
| 2 | Potato Variety Eldo Fanaka | Mutant Irish potato with resistance to early and late blight, and high yielding. Good for table | 2023 | Kenya Gazette notice no. 4515 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
| 3 | Tour guide Finder | An ICT-enabled peer-to-peer tour guiding app, that connects tourist guides with visitors and remotely monitors the conduct of guides. The system front-end is a mobile app, with a web-based back end for onboarding tourist guides and recording geo-coordinates for tourist attractions and infrastructure | 2022 | RZ37983 | George Ariya | Engaging partners for scaling |
| 4 | Extruded Instant flour containing sorghum-maize-amaranth blend, fortified with natural fortificants and preparation method of thick and thin porridge | Flour that makes instant thin and thick porridge and offers convenience in preparation and can be processed in different variations to cater to consumers. It is a natural product and excellent for food nutrition and health. | 2021 | KE/P/2019/3308 | Prof. Violet Mugalivai | A method for manufacturing instant nutritional flour which includes whole grain maize, whole grain sorghum, and micronutrients rich plant ingredients like baobab fruit powder and grain amaranth flour |
| 5 | Novel portable clean biogas packaging for sustainable bio-energy utilization | A cylinder made of steel shell or plastic or any other suitable material that can withstand pressure and used to contain pressurized biogas which makes it possible for utilization by gas burners | 2020 | KE/P/2020/3400 | Eng. Muhamed Swaleh, Jacob Mbego, and Harisson Tarus | Clean biogas for utilization in gas cookers |
| 6 | Novel gluten-free bread prepared from green banana pumpkin seed and avocado seed composite flour | Nutritious and gluten-free flour blended with green banana, pumpkin seed, and avocado seeds to improve the rheological, sensorial and textural characteristics and provide supplementary proteins, vitamins, and minerals for celiac patients. | 2020 | KE/P/2020/3399 | Lilian Songok, Dr. Charlotte Serrem, Dr. Florence Wamunga, Clavince Onyango | Food and nutrition |
| 7 | Dolichos Bean ELDO – KT MARIDADI | Dolichos bean that is high-yielding and early maturing | 2015 | Kenya Gazette Notice No. 313 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
| 8 | Dolichos bean ELDO – KT CREAM | Dolichos bean that is high-yielding and early maturing | 2015 | Kenya Gazette Notice No. 313 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | |
| 9 | Dolichos Bean ELDO – KT BLACK 1 | Dolichos bean that is high-yielding and early maturing | 2015 | Kenya Gazette Notice No. 313 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
| 10 | Wheat Variety Eldo Mavuno | Wheat variety resistant to stem rust Ug99 | 2014 | Kenya-Gazette Notice No. 255 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
| 11 | Wheat Variety Eldo Baraka | Wheat variety resistant to stem rust Ug99 | 2013 | Kenya-Gazette Notice of 2014 | Prof Miriam Kinyua | Seed |
Annual Innovation Weeks at the University
To give a platform of expression to innovators and inventors, the University hold annual Innovation Weeks to provide a platform for students and staff to showcase innovations and inventions. So far, 5 Innovation Weeks have been held in the University. This year, the University held its 5th Annual Innovation Week from 1-3 November 2023 under the theme ‘Innovating for a Greener and Sustainable Future’ and showcased over 40 innovations from staff, students, and partners. The Department is committed to increasing awareness of IP uses among students and staff, capacity-building for innovation, and commercialization of innovations.
Innovative Research by Postgraduate Students
Table 3 summarizes some of the innovative research by the postgraduate students of the University of Eldoret from among those graduating in the 12th Graduation Ceremony.
| SN | Title of Project | Researchers | School |
| 1 | Treating wastewater from wastepaper recycling mill by blending Moringa oleifera with synthetic coagulants | Nyambura Wambui Janerose, Dr. Orori Benard, Prof. Simiyu Gelas | Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management |
| 2 | Antibacterial activities of green synthesized ZnO and CuO nanoparticles from leaf extracts of Warburgia ugandensis | Lemeitaron Njenga, Dr. Kiplagat Ayabei, Prof. Teresa Akenga, Zipporah Onyambu, Jackson Kiptoo, Martin Onani | Science |
| 3 | Dietary Influence on the nutritional composition of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria as an alternative source of proteins | Sylvia Mmbone, Prof. Linnet Gohole, Prof. Fredrick Wanjala, Dr. Amos Ronoh | Science |
| 4 | Desert locust (S. gregaria) frass as an organic fertilizer for the Growth of Kales (Brassica oleracea L.) under open field conditions | Mmbone Sylvia, Prof. Wanjala Fredrick, and Prof. Gohole Linet | Science |
| 5 | Biocontrol of Alternaria solani in tomatoes by Trichoderma harzianum and Bauveria bassiana | Emmy Cheruiyot | Science |
| 6 | Pavonia urens as Biosorbent in Phytoremediation of Metal Pollutants through Complexation | S. Rutto, Prof. K. Lusweti, Dr. Ayabei K, Wetungu M. | Science |
| 7 | Response of Improved Kienyeji chicken fed on maize-substituted sorghum-based rations | Eric Misiko Manuya | Agriculture and Biotechnology |
| 8 | Dam site identification using multi-criteria analysis and spatially weighted overlay | Gladys Chelagat Biwott, Andrew Kiplagat, Dr. Job K. Ngetich, Prof. Dr. Emmanuel C. Kipkorir and Dr. Charles Kigen | Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management |
| 9 | Defluorination effectiveness of modified bio-sand filters | Okademi Nnancy, Dr. Odipo Osano, Dr. Khazenzi Judith | Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management |
New Potato Varieties from University of Eldoret
Potato is the second most important staple food after maize in Kenya. However, the yield levels are too low at 9t/ha, compared to a potential yield of 20-40t /ha. The low yields are attributed to biotic and abiotic stresses which include inadequate quality seed and planting materials, low soil fertility, low yielding varieties, diseases and insect pests, poor adaptability and yield stability to different environment and climatic changes among others. The University released 3 new varieties of Irish potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) with high yields and resistance to common diseases in 2023 through the research lead by Prof. Mirium Kinyua of the School of Agriculture and biotechnology. The varieties are as specified in the table below:
| Variety Name | Release Name | Owner(S) Licensee | Areas Of Production | Maturity Duration | Yield (T/Ha) | Special Attributes |
| ELDO IP1 | Eldo Amani | UOE | Altitude: 2100-2700 AEZ: UM1-3; LH 1-3; UH 1-3 Sites: ALL Potato growing counties | 3-3.5 months | 58- 60 | 1 month dormancy, white skin, white flesh, early maturing, good for chipping. High specific gravity |
| ELDO IP2 | Eldo Fanaka | UOE | Altitude: 2300-3000 AEZ: LH 1-3; UH 1-3 Sites: ALL Potato growing counties | 4-4.5 months | 59-62 | Moderately resistant to BW, resistant to Early and late blight, long dormancy, deep red skin, white flesh, good for table |
| ELDO IP3 | Eldo Bidii | UOE | Altitude: 2100-3000 AEZ: LH 1-3; UH 1-3 Sites: ALL Potato growing counties | 3.5-4 months | 55-59 | Moderately resistant to BW, resistant to Early and late blight, medium dormancy, pinkish skin, white flesh, good for table, fair for chipping |
