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September 24, 2025A BRIGHT FUTURE AS KEMRI EXPANDS ITS CAPACITY TO ERADICATE POLIO
By Gideon Kirui
The Institute has cemented its position as a leading force in the fight against poliovirus following the recent inauguration of the newly completed polio laboratory at the Institute. The expanded polio laboratory built at a cost of Kes. 64 million was officially commissioned by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Health, Hon. Aden Duale at the Institute’s Headquarters on 16th September 2025. It is expected to significantly strengthen in-country genomic sequencing, reduce turnaround times for outbreak detection, and enhance regional health security. This marks a bold step towards polio eradication, a regional and global focus in the efforts to foster a polio-free community.
The laboratory is a legacy project that will transcend polio eradication objective to include strengthening of genomic surveillance of other epidemic and pandemic threats such as Mpox, measles, rubella, and emerging enteric viruses. The laboratory will also play a pivotal role in advancing Kenya’s compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and fortifying the country’s contribution to global health security.
Speaking during the commissioning of the laboratory, World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative in Kenya, Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo noted that the facility is a significant investment in health infrastructure and demonstrates the critical role of collaboration, innovation, and collective responsibility in disease surveillance and control.
“Your collaboration is a testament to what can be achieved when global expertise aligns with local dedication. Together, we are not just handing over a building, we are launching hope, resilience, and a renewed commitment to a polio-free future,” he said.
Dr. Diallo further expressed WHO’s commitment to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and continued support for accelerated control of other vaccine-preventable diseases in the region.
The CS, on his part exuded confidence in KEMRI, saying that the laboratory will play a pivotal role in advancing our compliance with the International Health Regulations (IHR) and fortifying Kenya’s contribution to global health security therefore affirming the recent declaration of KEMRI as an institution of strategic importance to the country by the Cabinet.
“I am deeply encouraged by the strides made here at KEMRI, with support from the World Health Organization and the Gates Foundation. Today, as we inaugurate this expanded facility, we stand at the threshold of full accreditation – a milestone that will not only reduce turnaround times from 35 to 40 days to a paltry less than 10 days but also affirms the recent declaration of KEMRI as an institution of strategic importance to the country by the Cabinet.
This inauguration is also a reminder of what we can achieve when government, science, and partnerships come together for the common good. Together, let us continue to protect our people, strengthen our health systems, and contribute to a healthier, safer world,” he stated.
Hon. Duale further said that the Government of Kenya, is committed to sustaining this facility, by mobilizing domestic resources to support its operations, and ensuring that the highly skilled workforce driving this innovation is given long-term support.
The KEMRI Board of Directors Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ali, while expressing his appreciation to the Ministry of Health, WHO, Gates Foundation, and other development partners involved in the project, affirmed KEMRI’s dedication to safeguarding the health of Kenyans and contributing to global health security. Dr. Ali highlighted that the “KEMRI Polio Laboratory as an Inter-country and reference laboratory has a regional responsibility to ensure that we remain vigilant against the threat of poliovirus and protect the gains made in eradicating this crippling disease,”
The KEMRI polio laboratory not only serves as a national and inter-country reference laboratory for Kenya but also assists neighbouring countries in the Horn of Africa including Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea, and the Island of Comoros. The support in the poliovirus diagnostics is for both cases of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP), for all the countries and environmental samples for all countries except Comoros. The test procedures undertaken in the laboratory include cell culture, virus isolation from both AFP and environmental samples, as well as molecular characterization.
The Acting Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, on his part pledged KEMRI’s continued effort in informing public health policies, saying, “As KEMRI, we commit to ensuring this facility thrives beyond today’s inauguration. I want to assure Kenyans that the Institute is happy to play this role, as it contributes directly to surveillance by the Ministry of Health, and supports efforts at ensuring that we kick polio of the world, the way we did to smallpox in 1979.”
Prof. Songok also revealed that WHO has committed its support in facilitating a partnership that will enable the manufacturing of liquid nitrogen within the Institute to support cell cultures for poliovirus diagnostics, pathogen resource preservation as well as support other government of Kenya laboratories in both the human and veterinary sector, under the One-Health approach.
The KEMRI Polio Laboratory supports the MoH in conducting robust surveillance through advanced diagnostics ranging from acute flaccid paralysis cases or environmental samples. The laboratory has carried out highly specialized procedures including cell culture, virus isolation, and molecular characterization, which includes real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays for the intratypic characterization of polioviruses.
Hon. Duale was flanked by the Principal Secretary, Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth, theChairman of the Oversight Committee, Network for Education and Support in Immunisation (NESI), Prof. Fred Were and other senior officials from the Ministry of Health.
KEMRI Board of Directors present were Dr. Damaris Maweu, Dr. Luka Chemwolo, Dr. Ruth Bosire, Ms. Faith Mwongerah, Mr. Christopher Marwa, Mr. Victor Momanyi and Ms. Wangui Njenga. Also in attendance was the eHealth Africa, Deputy Director, Programmes and Partnerships at, Dr. David Akpan.
