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February 5, 2025KEMRI Gears Up for a Historic 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Conference (KASH).

The Institute is poised to host the highly anticipated 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Conference (KASH), scheduled to take place from 11th to 14th, February 2025, at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. This premier event, themed “Research Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Health Systems; A Community-driven Agenda” aims to spotlight advancements in medical research and public health while fostering innovation and collaboration among stakeholders.
This conference will among other things, highlight the pivotal role KEMRI has played in improving disease diagnosis, treatment, and management through groundbreaking research, innovative technologies, clinical trials, and service provision. It will also serve as a platform to showcase these achievements and provide a venue for critical discussions on emerging health challenges, including the promising exciting role of precision medicine in Kenya’s healthcare landscape.
“A major highlight of the 15th KASH Conference will be a focused dialogue on precision medicine. This initiative seeks to identify and promote local capacity in personalized medicine, emphasizing targeted treatments tailored to individual patient needs,” informed Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, the host of the conference. According to Prof. Songok, the discussions on this innovative medical approach aim to ensure the availability of actionable information, foster engagement between the medical and research communities, while creating a cohesive pipeline for patient care and management.
It is envisaged that this forum will be attended by among others, Ministry of Health leadership, regulators, private sector actors, development partners, and international stakeholders.
Some of the 15th KASH pre-conference activities will include the unveiling of Kenya’s Personalized Medicine Think Tank, the launch of the KEMRI Personalized Medicine Centre of Excellence, the establishment of the Personalized Medicine Society of Kenya, and the forma; launching of the KEMRI’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. These initiatives are expected to lay the foundation for sustainable development in healthcare innovation and policy reform.
Since its establishment 15 years ago, the KASH Conference is renowned for its role in bringing together researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to address pressing health issues. This year’s event has already attracted significant interest, with 330 abstracts submitted under diverse sub-themes addressing critical and emerging public health challenges. Additionally, 15 symposium applications have been received, marking a record high in the conference’s history.
Chairperson of the KASH Committee Organizing Committee, Dr. Cecilia Mbae notes that this year’s theme and sub-themes are uniquely aligned with current health challenges. “The scientific sessions are strategically structured to facilitate meaningful discussions among policymakers, health practitioners, private sector representatives, and scientists,” she said. “We’ve also seen an increase in abstract submissions from the counties and more partners coming on board, reflecting the growing relevance of this conference.”
Notably, the conference will include the “Rising Stars” segment, designed to inspire young scientists and provide a platform for them to compete for awards and recognition. This initiative highlights the Institute’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of problem-solvers in healthcare.
Over the years, the KASH Conference has significantly shaped Kenya’s public health landscape by fostering the exchange of innovative ideas and evidence-based solutions. The event has facilitated policy changes, strengthened collaborations, and inspired groundbreaking research that directly impacts health outcomes in Kenya and beyond.
This year’s conference promises to continue this legacy, with a strong focus on advancing the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda through locally driven solutions. By addressing critical health challenges and promoting innovation, the 15th KASH Conference is set to contribute meaningfully to the global health agenda while strengthening Kenya’s healthcare systems.