Japanese Finance Official Commends KEMRI Partnership

A senior official from Japan’s Ministry of Finance has lauded the longstanding partnership between the KEMRI and the government of Japan, describing it as “high impact and fruitful to the people and governments of Kenya, the African continent, and Japan.”

Mr. Chishiro Matsumoto, a Budget Examiner at the Ministry, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to KEMRI Headquarters on 22nd, May 2025. During the visit, he expressed admiration for the achievements of the KEMRI Japan collaboration, mostly through the JICA and pledged continued support to deepen and expand the partnership.

The primary objective of the visit was to assess ongoing areas of collaboration between KEMRI and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), particularly in research infrastructure and human resource development.

The delegation was received by Dr. Martin Bundi, representing the Acting Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, along with Director of Corporate Services, Mr. Jones Otuke. In his welcome address, Dr. Bundi emphasized the significant strides made through the KEMRI-JICA partnership in advancing Kenya’s public health research capabilities.

“The collaboration between KEMRI and the government of Japan, through JICA, has been instrumental in driving key research programs and building scientific capacity, we deeply value this partnership and remain committed to working together towards our shared goal of ‘Health Research for All’,” Dr. Bundi acknowledged.

During the visit, the delegation was taken through a series of presentations highlighting the Institute’s collaborative projects. The Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) Coordinator, Dr. Evans Amukoye shared the achievements of the longstanding history of cooperation between KEMRI and Japan through JICA, including the latest initiative in building regional research capacity. Additional presentations were delivered by the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) Coordinator, Dr. Allan Ole Kwala, Dr. Doris Njomo, and Dr. Muuo Nzuuo, who further detailed the progress of various joint research programmes supported by Japan, particularly in infrastructure development and advanced training.

One of the key initiatives spotlighted by Dr. Njomo was the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), which aims to enhance the control, monitoring, and eventual elimination of schistosomiasis in Kenya. The project is currently being implemented in Homa Bay and Kwale Counties.

Later, the visiting delegation had an opportunity to engage with some of the members of the KEMRI-Japan Alumni Network which consists of group of scientists and researchers who have benefited from Japan-funded training and collaborative research programmes over the years. Their testimonials underscored the long-term value of the partnership in nurturing scientific talent and advancing public health goals.

Mr. Matsumoto expressed deep appreciation for the collaboration between KEMRI and the Government of Japan and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting KEMRI’s mission.

“We are proud of the results this partnership has yielded so far and are confident that our continued collaboration will further advance health research and innovation,” Mr. Matsumoto stated. “The Government of Japan remains steadfast in its support for KEMRI and its vision of ensuring better health for all.”

The visit concluded with a tour of KEMRI’s research and training facilities, where the Japanese delegation witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of Japan’s support on laboratory infrastructure, programme implementation, and institutional capacity. The visit not only reaffirmed the deep-rooted partnership between KEMRI and Japan but also opened new avenues for future collaboration in health research and development.