Kenya Medical Research Institute

Kenya Medical Research Institute Established in 1979, KEMRI is the national body mandated to carry out Human Health Research in Kenya
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The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a state corporation established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979, as the national body responsible for carrying out health research in Kenya, Currently, KEMRI operates under Legal Notice 35 of March 2021. Since it's inception, KEMRI has developed a critical mass of scientists and technical personnel, to enable it mount a competitive research infrastructure to rank as a leading centre of excellence in health research both in Africa as well as globally.

KEMRI hosted Mr. Suzuki Hironori, Director of the Second Africa Division at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his...
12/03/2026

KEMRI hosted Mr. Suzuki Hironori, Director of the Second Africa Division at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his delegation for a courtesy engagement.

Representing the Ag. DG, Elijah Songok, the Director for Corporate Services, Jones Otuke conveyed appreciation for Japan’s long-standing partnership in infrastructure and capacity building. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration to advance health research and innovation in Kenya.

The Ag. Director General of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Prof. Elijah Songok, paid a courtesy call on t...
11/03/2026

The Ag. Director General of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Prof. Elijah Songok, paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Dr. Clement Ng’oriareng to discuss opportunities for collaboration between the two institutions.

The engagement explored potential areas of partnership aimed at advancing traditional and alternative medicine research, including the sustainable utilization, conservation, and scientific validation of medicinal plants by leveraging the expertise of both institutions.

Prof. Songok was accompanied by Ag. Deputy Director of the Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR), Dr. Jeremiah Gathirwa, alongside research scientists Dr. Esther Matu, Dr. Festus Tolo, and Mr. Barnabas Kimatoi.

The KEMRI-hosted Cochrane Kenya is the recipient of an award to establish the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Thematic Grou...
09/03/2026

The KEMRI-hosted Cochrane Kenya is the recipient of an award to establish the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Thematic Group.

The initiative which will be co-hosted with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (UK) and Instituto Nacional de Salud (Peru) brings together experts to advance evidence synthesis, capacity strengthening, and evidence-informed decision-making in infectious diseases.

This achievement positions the Institute as a leader in evidence synthesis and global health research, while contributing to regional and global efforts to strengthen the use of evidence in policy and practice.

In KEMRI the group will be co- lead by Ms. Bakhita Barbara Miheso and Ms. Lilian Mayieka.

Congratulations to the team on this achievement!

This , we celebrate women everywhere whose resilience, leadership, and contributions continue to shape societies, advan...
07/03/2026

This , we celebrate women everywhere whose resilience, leadership, and contributions continue to shape societies, advance knowledge, and inspire generations.

Happy

KEMRI is supporting efforts to identify victims of the recent helicopter crash in Nandi County that claimed six lives t...
03/03/2026

KEMRI is supporting efforts to identify victims of the recent helicopter crash in Nandi County that claimed six lives through DNA testing. The Institute will undertake comparative DNA analysis in line with international standards to ensure accurate identification and to assist affected families and the relevant authorities during this process.

“As a institution, we recognizes the weight of this moment. We extend our sincere condolences to the families affected and assure them that our teams are working with precision, professionalism, and respect to ensure accurate DNA identification. We remain committed to supporting both the families and the relevant authorities during this difficult period.” assures Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok.

KEMRI today signed its FY2025/2026 Performance Contract in a ceremony led by Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, re...
02/03/2026

KEMRI today signed its FY2025/2026 Performance Contract in a ceremony led by Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale, reaffirming its commitment to efficient service delivery, accountability, and impactful health research for all Kenyans.

The Performance Contract was signed by the chairman, KEMRI Board of Directors Dr. Abdullahi Ali, in the presence of Board Member Mr. Lukas Chemwolo, Ag. DG Prof. Elijah Songok and Acting Director, Strategy & Compliance Mr. Edwin Bett.

The ceremony was attended by PS National Government Coordination ,Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim, PS Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga and PS Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, alongside SAGAs Board Chairs and CEOs.

We are excited to announce a major breakthrough in the fight against sleeping sickness! Acoziborole a single-dose oral t...
27/02/2026

We are excited to announce a major breakthrough in the fight against sleeping sickness!

Acoziborole a single-dose oral treatment developed by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Sanofi and partners in endemic countries has received European Medicines Agency (EMA) positive opinion bringing new hope to communities and the world closer to eliminating this deadly neglected disease.

KEMRI is a founding partner of DNDi

🔗Press release; https://dndi.org/press-releases/2026/acoziborole-winthrop-developed-dndi-sanofi-receives-european-medicines-agency-positive-opinion-sleeping-sickness/

🔗The EMA positive opinion
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/new-single-dose-oral-treatment-human-african-trypanosomiasis-sleeping-sickness

🔬 | Shrinking the Lab, Expanding Health EquityJoin us for a session exploring how microfluidics and point-of-care test...
25/02/2026

🔬 | Shrinking the Lab, Expanding Health Equity

Join us for a session exploring how microfluidics and point-of-care testing are transforming access to diagnostics and bringing healthcare closer to communities.

📅 Tomorrow, Thursday, 26th February 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM (EAT)
💻 Fully Virtual
Register: 8d2dc32f-6ee0-40d3-8f33-b16633b912aa@527233b8-1b3b-45f3-b244-2218ee7fefc9" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d2dc32f-6ee0-40d3-8f33-b16633b912aa@527233b8-1b3b-45f3-b244-2218ee7fefc9

🎉Congratulations Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim!
25/02/2026

🎉Congratulations Dr. Abdullahi Ibrahim!

KEMRI in partnership with GC ADDA and RAFIKI, is holding a 4-day high-level workshop focused on advancing the translatio...
24/02/2026

KEMRI in partnership with GC ADDA and RAFIKI, is holding a 4-day high-level workshop focused on advancing the translational Research & Development ecosystem for infectious disease research across Africa.

The workshop was officially opened by Ag. Director, Research & Development, Dr. Erick Muok, and chaired by Co-Principal Investigator Dr. Elizabeth V. Mumbi Kigondu. The event has brought togetherRAFIKI members and partners, patient advocates and recovered patients, KEMRI representatives, policymakers, and key stakeholders.
This joint convening was designed to foster meaningful collaboration, amplify patient voices, and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional hub for drug discovery research.

Key Objectives of the workshop include:
• Showcase ongoing pan-African drug discovery projects and infrastructure strengthening initiatives under the GC ADDA and RAFIKI networks.
• Elevate the patient perspective by sharing lived TB experiences and current standards of care to better inform researchers and policymakers.
• Engage local dignitaries and stakeholders in positioning Kenya as East Africa’s leading hub for translational drug discovery.

By bridging science, policy, and lived experience, the workshop reinforced the importance of inclusive, patient-centered research and strengthened partnerships that are critical to accelerating innovation in infectious disease research across the continent.

Together, we are building a stronger, collaborative ecosystem that advances discovery, translation, and impact for Africa.

The Institute joined regional stakeholders at the inaugural East African Forum on Traditional, Complementary and Integra...
24/02/2026

The Institute joined regional stakeholders at the inaugural East African Forum on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), convened under the theme: “Strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks for the integration of TCIM into national health systems of East African Community countries.”

The two day forum brings together researchers, policymakers, regulators and health sector leaders from across the region to deliberate on the role of evidence-informed policies in safely integrating traditional therapeutics as a complement to modern medicine, while safeguarding quality, efficacy and patient safety.

The meeting was officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health (MoH), Hon. Aden Duale, who underscored the urgent need for policy and regulatory frameworks to guide the incorporation of TCIM into healthcare delivery to enhance UHC.

Also in attendance were the Principal Secretary State Department for Medical Services, MoH Dr. Ouma Oluga, representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), delegates from East African Community partner states, and representatives from other African health institutions, highlighting a growing continental commitment to harmonised approaches in traditional and integrative healthcare.

The forum is a collaboration between the MoH, the Traditional Complementary and Integrative Healthcare Coalition (TCIH) and Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH).

The 4th International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (GBS) has officially kicked off in Nairobi, the firs...
23/02/2026

The 4th International Symposium on Streptococcus agalactiae Disease (GBS) has officially kicked off in Nairobi, the first of its kind in East Africa.

, hosted by KEMRI in collaboration with the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), brings together over 200 global experts dedicated to translating evidence into real-world action for maternal and newborn health.

The conference was officially opened by Ag. Director Research and Development, Dr. Erick Muok on behalf of Ag. DG Prof. Elijah Songok and is chaired by Dr. Hellen Barsosio.

ISSAD.org

Address

Ngumo
Nairobi
00200

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00
Saturday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+254202722541

Website

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Our Story

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is a state corporation established through the Science and Technology (Amendment) Act of 1979, as the national body responsible for carrying out medical health research in Kenya. Since it's inception, KEMRI has developed a critical mass of scientists and technical personnel, to enable it mount a competitive research infrastructure to rank as a leading center of excellence in health research both in Africa as well as globally.

Our Vision

To be a leading centre of excellence in research for human health

Our Mission