KEMRI Marks World Parkinson’s Day with a message of Hope and Advocacy.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) was at the forefront of this year’s World Parkinson’s Day commemorations held on April 11, 2025, in Kisumu, where communities, researchers, caregivers, and persons living with Parkinson’s disease (PLWPD) converged to amplify awareness and advocate for better care. The event, hosted at the Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall, was marked by a spirited procession, testimonies, and public education aimed at breaking the silence surrounding the disease.

The Governor of Kisumu County and guest speaker of the event Prof.Anyang’ Nyong’o highlighted the gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of Parkinson’s disease in Kenya, stressing the need for coordinated action. “Kenya has no definitive data on Parkinson’s. This reflects a glaring gap in how seriously we take this issue,” he stated. He outlined several strategies his government has undertaken, including improving neurological departments in hospitals, launching vernacular health education campaigns, training healthcare providers, and supporting research collaborations in Kisumu County.

“Awareness is a powerful tool,” he added. “We must educate ourselves and others to break the stigma and ensure no one walks this path alone.”

Representing the Institute, Principal Research Scientist Prof. Charles Obonyo delivered an impassioned address that underscored KEMRI’s ongoing commitment to research and awareness creation on neurodegenerative diseases. He emphasized that Parkinson’s disease remains largely misunderstood, often misattributed to non-medical causes such as witchcraft, especially in underserved communities. “This is a disease like any other, and something can be done about it,” he stated, urging the public to embrace medical knowledge and seek timely diagnosis and care.

Prof. Obonyo highlighted key findings from KEMRI’s ongoing research, which reveal low awareness of disease even among healthcare providers, delayed diagnoses, and significant gaps in access to treatment. With fewer than 30 neurologists in the country, patients are often forced to travel long distances to receive specialized care. He noted that these challenges underscore the urgent need for training, awareness campaigns, and investment in neurological services.

KEMRI, he added, is working in close collaboration with support groups and caregivers to document the experiences of PLWPD, generate local data, and inform evidence-based interventions. “Our studies show that caregivers, most of whom are family members, shoulder a heavy burden and require structured support,” he said, calling for training programmes and psychosocial support tailored to caregivers’ needs.

Furthermore, Prof. Obonyo called on policymakers to take an active role in addressing the gaps in Parkinson’s care. He advocated for the integration of neurological diseases in public health discourse, more inclusive healthcare training, and policy reforms that ensure the affordability and availability of essential medicines.

With renewed hope and strengthened resolve, Kisumu’s World Parkinson’s Day celebration was more than an event it was a call to action. A reminder that no one should walk alone, and that with solidarity, research, and empathy, a better future is possible for all those affected by Parkinson’s disease.