Africa’s One Health Experts in KEMRI’s Experiential Learning Tour

The Institute this week hosted delegates from 10 African countries from 19 research and academic institutions affiliated to the African Health Research Network (AFROHUN). The delegates mostly University dons and key experts in the area of One Health Research were from Somaliland, Rwanda, Liberia, South Africa, DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Ethiopia, Cameroon and hosts Kenya among others.

On Wednesday, 24^th April 2024, the delegates led by Dr. Susan Keino from Kenya’s Moi University and Moi led the AFROHUN delegation of 40 members for a tour of Institute’s Central Laboratory Complex at KEMRI Headquarters and were received by the Director, Research & Development, Prof. Nelly Mugo.  

The delegates who had attended the 4^th AFROHUN Conference in Nairobi chose KEMRI as their transformative experiential learning Institute on various research activities.

During their engagement at KEMRI, the delegates delved into various aspects of the Institute’s research activities, thereby gaining invaluable insights into a multidisciplinary approach of the One Health Program, development of therapies through traditional herbs/medicines, and interacted with trends in microbiology research through the Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR).

Speaking to the visiting team, Prof. Mugo, appreciated the delegates through the AFROHUN leadership for choosing KEMRI to gain more insights in human health research and further emphasized the significance of such engagements. “We are glad that you chose this Institute as your experiential learning Institution and it is my prayer that the firsthand exposure that you will be subjected to during this visit will catalyze new ideas that will birth significant research within your research study areas,” she emphasized.

Her sentiments were in concurrence with Dr. Keino who besides being enthusiastic with the visit also noted that it would be impactful to both the internal and external delegates. She emphasized that the engagement was vital in creating regional networks in advancing healthcare solutions that are tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. “We are here to build a culture of shared learning and collaboration in research as Africa entities, we look forward to learn much more about One Health Program and other research endeavors of the Institute,” elucidated Dr. Keino who is also the head of  the Teaching Research Ethics Committee at Moi University.

Also present during the visit include the Ag. Deputy Director One Health Research Program Dr. Robert Onsare, and research scientists Dr. Lumbaso Konongoi, Dr. Beatrice Irungu and Dr. Erastus Mulinge.