KEMRI renews collaboration with Wellcome Trust.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has signed a seven-year Memorandum of Agreement with Wellcome Trust, a UK charitable organization, and the University of Oxford, today, Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at the KEMRI Headquarters, Nairobi. Under this collaboration, Wellcome has awarded GBP 91 million (KES 15 billion) to support research over the next 7 years.

Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General/ CEO who signed MOA on behalf of KEMRI noted the strategic importance of the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme stating that “This is one of KEMRI’s flagship research and training, Programmes, contributing more than 30% of KEMRI’s research output” he also appreciated the continued support from Wellcome for the Programme.

Chris Bird, the Wellcome Chief Legal Officer stated that Wellcome was proud of the investment it had in Kenya, emphasizing the key role the president had plaid in getting the agreement signed. Chris Price the Divisional registrar and Chief Operating Officer, Medical Sciences Division who signed the agreement on behalf of the Oxford University said “Oxfords mandate is to further learning through teaching and research, and the collaboration with KEMRI is an fantastic example of this in practice”.

Earlier in the week the Government of Kenya hosted Dr. Julia Gilliard the Chair of the Wellcome Trust Board of Governors, and Prof. Irene Tracey, the vice chancellor of the University of Oxford, who have been in the country for the 60 years celebration of Wellcome’s science and research partnership with Kenya and met the President William Ruto yesterday at State House.

The Chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullahi Ali said: “We sincerely thank the President of the Republic of Kenya HE President William Ruto for facilitating KEMRI’s acquisition of the grant and continuity of the Programme and also wish to thank Dr. Julia Gillard, the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, currently the Chair of Board of Directors of Wellcome Trust for personally following up the negotiations for signing of the new grant agreement that shall be used to support discovery research, mental health research, climate and health and KEMRI’s evaluation and monitoring  on Kenya’s universal health coverage (UHC) initiative”.

KEMRI, have been closely collaborating with the Wellcome Trust and the University of Oxford, dedicated towards improving health through research for over 35 years now. The Government of Kenya and the Wellcome Trust have been in collaboration for the last 60 years.

This auspicious signing marks a continuation of this vibrant collaboration, that has resulted in major scientific breakthroughs including cutting edge research dedicated to fighting malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, HIV and malnutrition, testing of 2 Malaria Vaccines: Development and testing of the Rift Valley Vaccine using the One health approach, support of MOH during the COVID 19 pandemic among others, and generating evidence towards Universal Health Coverage in Kenya and the region.