The Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) was established under the Science & Technology Act Cap.250 in 1979. However, the Institute’s history dates back to 1942, when the then colonial government set up a central laboratory at Kabete, Nairobi. The laboratory's aim was to initiate and develop industries so as to relieve the industrial goods shortages that had been caused by the Second World War. At that time, the Kenya Industrial Management Board (KIMBO) administered the laboratory. Later, as the laboratory expanded its management was taken over by the East African Community (EAC), and it was renamed East African Industrial Research Organization (EAIRO).

 

EAIRO, the predecessor of the present day KIRDI, which had Centres in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, ceased its operations in 1977 following the collapse of the East African Community. The National Industrial Research Complex under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry subsequently took up operations. In 1979, an Act of Parliament establishing the National Council for Science & Technology (NCST) was amended to establish five Research Institutes, KIRDI being one of them.

 

Since becoming a fully-fledged autonomous institution, KIRDI has undergone phenomenal expansion and changes. In 1987 a new building complex was put up in South C, Nairobi to house the newly established Leather Development Centre (LDC) and the Engineering Development and Service Centre (EDSC). The complex also houses the headquarters of the Institute. Further expansion was made in 1991 when a sorghum processing pilot plant was commissioned in Kisumu.

 

The Institute has undergone major structural changes since 1979 and has operated under four major organizational structural regimes:-

 

1.   Between 1979 and 1990 the structure was composed of five divisions namely: Engineering and Design (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical), Process and Product development (Textile, Food, Leather, Ceramics and Clay Products), Analytical and Testing (Laboratory Services), Project Studies and Development, and Finance and Administration. Mining, Power Resources and Industrial Chemistry were not addressed in this structure.

 

2.   Between 1990 and 1994, the structure comprised three departments namely: Research and Consultancy (analytical and testing, process and product development and project studies and development divisions), Engineering Services (engineering and design division), Finance and Administration. Again, Mining, Power Resources and Industrial Chemistry were not addressed in this structure.

 

3.   Between 1994 and 1996 additional divisions were created namely: Energy and environment, chemical engineering, data processing and electrical technology, food technology, ceramics and building materials, were added to R&D department. The Administration and Finance department was also restructured to create finance, human resource and administration managerial positions.

 

4.   Between 1997 and 2000 the structure comprised one department namely research & development (R&D), six commercial and service Centres, and two support divisions. 

 

5.   Between 2000 and 2004, KIRDI operated on a transitional structure developed by a sub-committee of the then KIRDI Board of Management

 

6.   In 2004, KIRDI Board of Management developed a five year Strategic Plan 2004/09 which the management has been implementing.