Fight Against Infectious Diseases Intensifies as KEMRI Joins Kenya – Korea Deliberations on Bio-Vaccine Research
August 13, 2025
KEMRI, KAIST Forge Landmark Kenya–Korea Scientific Partnership
August 14, 2025KEMRI Board of Directors Tours Western Region Research Facilities
The Institute’s Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Dr. Abdullahi Ali, conducted an extensive field visit to the KEMRI Western Kenya Region, underscoring the Institute’s commitment to advancing public health research across the country.
The visit commenced at the Obama Children’s Hospital in Kondele, Kisumu, where the delegation received a warm welcome from hospital management led by Dr. Allan Otieno and staff. They were briefed on the hospital’s operations before being taken on a guided tour of its facilities. The Board then proceeded to the KEMRI Clinical Research Centre (CRC) in Kondele to learn about its cutting-edge collaborative research programmes and their impact on surrounding communities. The facility is a one of the collective research Institute between the Waltereed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR).
At the KEMRI–Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR) campus in Kisian, the visiting team attended comprehensive presentations research scientists, including newly appointed Ag. Deputy Director, (R&D), Dr. Erick Muok and newly appointed CGHR, Ag. Deputy Director, Dr. Erick Ochomo. Others are, Dr. Allan Otieno, Dr. Bernard Abongo, Dr. Steve Wandiga, Dr. Richard Omore, Dr. Godfrey Bigogo, Dr. Janet Oyieko, Beth Mutai and Dr. Brian Tangara.
The presentations covered a diverse range of research areas, including malaria, entomology and climate change studies, tuberculosis, rotavirus, the VIDA and CHAMPS projects, shigella, the Population-Based Infectious Disease Surveillance (PBIDS) programme, the Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS), and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Updates were also shared on activities at KEMRIWRAIR CRC sites in Kombewa and Kondele.
Following an engaging discussion session, the delegation toured the CGHR Kisian Campus research facilities, gaining first-hand insight into the advanced laboratories and infrastructure that support impactful public health interventions in the region.
The visit reinforced the Board’s appreciation for the scientific achievements from the Western Region and reaffirmed KEMRI’s mission to improve health through world-class research. The tour took place ahead of the Devolution Conference, scheduled for 13–15 August 2025 in which the Institute has mounted a high impact exhibition and attended by its leadership and research staff.
