KEMRI Hosts Delegation From The National Defence College.

On November 27, 2024, the Institute hosted a high-profile delegation from the National Defence College, led by Brigadier Richard Mwanzia. This visit underscored the growing collaboration between KEMRI and the Ministry of Defence, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier this year.

While officially receiving the guest on behalf of the Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, was Prof. Wallace Bulimo, who utilized the platform to highlight KEMRI’s key milestones as well as the institute strategic mandates. Prof. Bulimo expressed optimism about the opportunities the partnership would unlock, citing the potential for enhanced collaboration in critical areas such as research, educational programs, capacity development, national emergencies, biosecurity, and personnel exchange. “As an institute, we deeply appreciate your presence and the opportunities this collaboration presents. Working together will enable us to strengthen efforts across various avenues, including national security and public health,” remarked Prof. Bulimo.

In his address, Brigadier Richard Mwanzia underscored the necessity of sustained collaboration between KEMRI and the National Defence College. He highlighted the alignment of KEMRI’s mission with the nation’s broader security objectives. “Our close partnership will help us achieve shared goals, including enhanced surveillance, disease outbreak preparedness, capacity building in pathogen control, emergency response, and disease prevention,” stated Brigadier Mwanzia, commending KEMRI’s pivotal role in advancing national biosecurity and health resilience.

The visit also included an extensive tour of KEMRI’s state-of-the-art research facilities. The delegation explored key departments such as the Centre for Biotechnology, Drug Research and Development (CBDRD), the Innovation and Technology Transfer Department (ITTD), the Human Identification Laboratory (HID), and the Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research (CTMDR). These tours provided an in-depth look at KEMRI’s contributions to innovation and its capacity to address national health challenges.

This visit marked a significant step in fostering a robust partnership between KEMRI and the NDC through the parent Ministry of Defence, paving the way for impactful collaboration that will bolster both national security and public health.