KEMRI, Japan Explore Opportunity to Deepen Collaboration

BY STELLA NJUNG’E  

KEMRI and Japan have identified new opportunities to deepen collaborative opportunities in health research, local manufacturing, diagnostics, capacity building and health security, as the two sides seek to strengthen Kenya’s ability to develop and deliver locally driven health solutions.

The opportunities were discussed during a high-level engagement between KEMRI led by the Vice Chancellor (VC) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Prof. Elijah Songok and Mr. IMAFUKU Takao, Ambassador in charge of UN Affairs and Deputy Director General, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, who visited KEMRI on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

In his welcome remarks, KEMRI VC/CEO Prof. Elijah Songok called for deeper strategic partnerships to support the Institute in delivering on its expanded mandate and responding to Kenya’s evolving health priorities.

“As KEMRI takes on an expanded mandate, our responsibilities in advancing health research, innovation, capacity building, biosecurity and disease surveillance have also grown. We are looking to build and strengthen strategic partnerships that will enable us to deliver on this mandate and respond to the evolving health needs of Kenya and the region. Given our longstanding relationship with Japan, we hope to continue counting on Japan as a friend and strategic partner as we move forward,” said Prof. Songok.

The discussions reflected the longstanding partnership between Kenya and Japan, supported by institutions such as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Nagasaki University, among others, and their contributions to strengthening health research, infrastructure, and capacity building in Kenya and the region.

The discussion focused on expanding collaboration in infrastructure development, specially building specialised hospitals to support research and provide care for communities across all Kenyan regions, and on capacity building. The partnership has also helped KEMRI attract and work with additional partners, expanding the Institute’s capacity to respond to emerging health challenges.

The discussions further explored opportunities to advance local manufacturing of vaccines, diagnostics and other medical products, building on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic. KEMRI’s growing capabilities in research and product development provide a strong platform for advancing locally driven health solutions and strengthening the country’s capacity to develop and produce critical health technologies and products.

The engagement also highlighted KEMRI’s contribution to Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, including its role in supporting health infrastructure, research and innovation aimed at improving health outcomes.

The discussions reaffirmed KEMRI’s position as a strategic institution of national importance in health security and underscored the potential for deeper Kenya–Japan cooperation in building resilient health systems, strengthening research capacity and advancing health innovations with regional impact, especially in the Institute’s new dispensation as a research Institute and specialised degree-awarding Institute.

“Japan values its longstanding partnership with KEMRI and recognises the Institute’s important role in advancing human health research, capacity building and health innovation in Kenya and beyond. With its expanded mandate, we see opportunities to further deepen our cooperation and look forward to continuing this partnership for the benefit of Kenya and the wider region,” said Mr. MAFUKU Takao.

The delegation was then taken on a conducted tour to the Centre for Virus Research (CVR), Production Unit and the site for the Grant Aid Project.

Mr. MAFUKU Takao was accompanied by Principal Deputy Director Second Africa Division, Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, Mr. SAISHO Yuta; Assistant Director Country Assistance Planning Division III, International Cooperation Bureau, Mr. OTA Yusuke; Senior Representative, JICA Office Kenya, Mr. SUZUKI Fumihiko; Embassy of Japan in Kenya staff including: Second Secretary, Mr. MASUDA Yuta; Researcher and Advisor, Ms. FURUSE Nanako; and Coordinator for Economic Cooperation, Mr. NOTO Atsutomo.

The KEMRI Delegation included Director Corporate Services (DCS) Mr. Jones Otuke, Ag. Director Research and Development (RnD), Dr. Erick Muok, Research Scientist, Dr. Ernest Wandera- representing Ag. Director Research Capacity Building, Deputy Director Finance and Accounts, Mr. Gabriel Kamau, Ag. Deputy Director Public Health and Health Systems Programme, Dr. Rose Bosire, Deputy Director Engineering and Maintenance Department, Eng. Grace Munoru and Ag. Deputy Director Corporate Communications, Mr. James Wodera.