The Governance Department carries out research and policy analysis on devolution and policy process, legal and institutional reforms, economic and corporate governance, land reforms and conflict management. The main objective is to address policy-related governance issues such as strengthening of the rule of law, land management, the fight against corruption, improved security as well as enhancement of transparency and accountability in public and corporate institutions.
The focus of the Infrastructure and Economic Services Department is to develop innovative, research-based infrastructure policy options and move them to the practical marketplace of policy making to tackle infrastructure management and policy challenges. It focuses on problems inhibiting the development and provision of physical infrastructure and services in energy; petroleum transmission and distribution; water and waste management; transport; construction and housing; urban and regional planning and management; information and communications technology (ICT); environmental health; Infrastructure finance, investment and productivity; and public service delivery.
Macroeconomics Department key objective is to improve public policy that supports growth, equity and poverty reduction. It conducts research in macroeconomic policy and support public policy process through capacity building and networking. The key research themes in the department are economic growth analysis; fiscal policy; monetary policy; external sector; and forecasting analysis using tools such as the KIPPRA-Treasury Macroeconomic Model (KTMM), Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) and poverty modules. The department also influences policy through participation in several economic policy taskforces in the government
The mission of the Private Sector Development Department is to conduct objective research; provide policy advice and undertake capacity building on issues that are related to the private sector and its role in the development process, including investment opportunities and growth; manufacturing; financing needs; and the role of the government in private sector growth; and firms operations and performance.
The Social Sector Department carries out research, policy analysis and capacity building that is aimed at human resource development for the country. Key research areas include poverty dynamics, social protection, population dynamics, inequalities, health, education, and labour markets.
The objective of the research activities in the Trade and Foreign Policy Department are to: increase domestic and international trade; promote regional economic integration; enhance Kenya’s relations and diplomatic engagements with the international community; and provide capacity building stakeholder in the public and private sectors among others. The research activities are aligned to the aspirations of the Kenya Vision 2030 and the National Trade Policy which seeks to enhance the supply of goods and services to the domestic market, while at the same time deepening economic and commercial ties through regional economic integration, and bilateral and multilateral partnerships.
The Productive Sector Department carries out research and policy analysis to support government efforts in enhancing productivity of Kenya economy in meeting the development goals. It organizes its research along three primary sectors of the economy namely; Agriculture, Tourism, and Environment and Natural Resources, which are further broken down into flexible research and knowledge areas. These include, but not limited to, agribusiness, livelihoods, food security, climate change, oil, gas and mining, tourism demand and competitiveness.
