Another Milestone as Land is Identified for KEMRI Eldoret Center

KEMRI has held a consultative meeting with the Uasin Gishu County Government and toured several parcels of land where the recently established KEMRI Sports Science Research Centre (KSSRC) will eventually be constructed.

The Uasin Gishu Governor, H.E. Johnathan Bii through his County Secretary, Mr. Edwin Bett promised to fully support KEMRI in her endeavors to set up the facility after the successful allotment process of the land is complete.

The Sports Science Research Centre currently operates from Mezzanine Three of Daima Plaza in Eldoret town following its commission on Thursday, 17th August 2023 by the Cabinet Secretary for Health Ms. Nakhumicha S. Wafula.

The County Government of Uasin Gishu and KEMRI has renewed its commitment towards the establishment of Sports Science Research Centre in Eldoret. The County leadership led by Hon. Edwin Bett the County Secretary hosted KEMRI board of Directors and management and toured the proposed site that will house the ultra-modern research facility.

During the event, the county leadership committed to support the Institute through the provision of land and complement efforts of the National Government and KEMRI towards this realization.

Last week, the County leadership led by its County Secretary hosted KEMRI leadership including the Board of Directors and Management and toured different the sites of the proposed ultra-modern research facility.

The KEMRI Board of Directors Chair Dr. Abdullahi Ali together with Ag. Director General Prof. Elijah Songok appreciated the support from the county leadership and undertook to fulfill the Institute’s mission of setting up the facility that will also host the first Anti-Doping laboratory in the region.

“Being a regional leader in carrying out research in human health; we cooperate with other organizations and institutions on research and training.  Eldoret is a key component of interest as it stands as a Centre for athletics and sports development, hence issues concerning doping must be considered in research. Eldoret also hosts higher institutions of learning, has high population and is cosmopolitan in nature.  These sets precedence for health research, “noted Abdullahi.

Dr.  Abdullahi was accompanied by Mr. Luka Chemwolo, Board member, Ms. Margret Rigoro, Ag. Deputy Director legal services and Corporation Secretary, Principal Human Resource Officer, Ms. Joan Lelei, and Mr. Barnabas Kimatoi from the office of the Director General.

He assured that the Institute would negotiate with the National Government for the allocation of appropriate budget for the construction of the proposed center.

“We are the central reference point in medical sector in the North rift and the Western region, we host the second largest Referral Hospital in Kenya, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital and we are also host to a big population from the informal sector including Langas, Huruma, MailiNne, Kapsoya and other highly populated areas which require attention pertaining disease outbreaks such as cholera and Rift Valley fever and more, ” said Mr. Bett as he made a case for the establishment of the proposed facility.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, and Housing and Urban Development Dr. Janeth Kosgei took the team on a site visit of four parcels of public utilities to identify the best suited parcel for the project.

Present during the tour were County Chief of staff Mr. Nicholas Chepkwony, Chief Officer, Joyce Sang, Attorney Stephen Lel, Director Lands Ms. Nelly Jerotich and Director Physical Planning Daniel Koech.

The launch of KEMRI Eldoret Centre, Sports Science Research Laboratory last year, marked the dawn of a new era for the Institute as it embraces the realm of Sports Medicine and Research.

KEMRI Eldoret is poised to evolve into a fully-fledged facility dedicated to comprehensively addressing the well-being of our athletes through a spectrum of holistic research studies including sports medicine and medical research components specifically targeting Nutrition Research, Social and Mental Health Research, Clinical Health aspects as well as the provision of laboratory services.

This facility will not only serve as a hub for athlete sample testing but also as a homegrown platform for other research and aim to eliminate the need to send samples out of the country, making the process more efficient and timelier.