KEMRI Takes Centre Stage as ACT-CHIK Project Kicks Off to Advance Chikungunya Vaccine Research in Africa

By Dr. Sammy Baya

Kigali, Rwanda | 8–10 June 2026

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has strengthened its position as a leader in health research and innovation following the successful launch of the Accelerating Clinical Trials for CHIKungunya Vaccine in Africa (ACT-CHIK) project in Kigali, Rwanda.

The three-day kick-off meeting, hosted by the University of Rwanda, brought together scientists and researchers from Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America to officially launch the four-year project. The meeting provided an opportunity for consortium partners to align on project objectives, governance, implementation plans, communication strategies, and collaborative approaches that will accelerate the development of a safe and effective chikungunya vaccine for Africa.

Funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme, ACT-CHIK aims to strengthen Africa’s clinical trial capacity while improving preparedness against chikungunya outbreaks.

KEMRI at the Heart of the Project

As one of the seven consortium partners, KEMRI plays a strategic role in the implementation of the project. The Institute, together with WRAIR-Africa will contribute to clinical trial activities and will be the key lead for Work Package 6 (WP6), which is responsible for communication, dissemination, and exploitation of research findings. Through this leadership role, KEMRI/WRAIR-Africa will ensure that project achievements, scientific findings, and lessons learned are effectively shared with researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, communities, and other stakeholders.

Strong KEMRI Representation in Kigali

KEMRI/WRAIR-A was represented by a multidisciplinary team comprising:

• Dr. John Waitumbi – WP 6 Lead responsible for Communications, Dissemination and Exploitation of Research Findings.
• Dr. Oyieko Janet – Lead for KEMRI’s Clinical Trial Activities.
• Dr. Sammy Baya – Responsible for supporting project communications

KEMRI Showcases Its Communication Leadership

During the meeting, Dr. Sammy Baya delivered two important presentations that demonstrated KEMRI’s leadership in project communication.

The first presentation, “Dissemination, Communication and Exploitation of Results,” introduced the communication framework that will guide the project throughout its implementation. The presentation focused on a Three-Pillar Communication Strategy, which includes:

• Internal Consortium Coordination to promote effective communication among all project partners.
• Stakeholder and Community Engagement to strengthen relationships with policymakers, healthcare professionals, communities, donors, and other key stakeholders.
• Dissemination and Visibility of Trial Results to ensure that research findings are communicated through scientific publications, digital platforms, media engagement, conferences, and public outreach.

Dr. Baya also delivered a second presentation titled “Work Package 6: ACT-CHIK Consortium Communication and Branding.” The presentation outlined the project’s overall communication strategy and highlighted the importance of developing site-specific communication plans that address the unique needs of each participating country while maintaining a unified ACT-CHIK identity and brand.

The presentations generated valuable discussions among consortium members and laid the foundation for coordinated communication throughout the four-year project.

Advancing Vaccine Research in Africa

The ACT-CHIK consortium brings together seven institutions with complementary expertise from France, Rwanda, Senegal, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, and the Republic of Korea. Together, the partners will conduct a multicenter Phase Ib/III clinical trial to evaluate the promising MV-CHIK vaccine candidate in Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, and Senegal.

Beyond evaluating the vaccine, the project will strengthen Africa’s capacity to conduct world-class clinical trials, support technology transfer for local vaccine manufacturing, and contribute to the African Union’s vision of expanding vaccine production across the continent.

Looking Ahead

The successful kick-off meeting marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward protecting African communities against chikungunya, a mosquito-borne disease that continues to pose a growing public health challenge.

For KEMRI, participation in ACT-CHIK demonstrates the Institute’s continued leadership in international health research. Through its leadership of WP 6, its contribution to clinical trial implementation, and its commitment to effective communication and dissemination, KEMRI will play a vital role in ensuring that the project’s scientific achievements reach the people and communities who stand to benefit the most.

Photo (Full Consortium Group Photo)

Members of the ACT-CHIK consortium pose for a group photo during the official kick-off meeting held at the University of Rwanda in Kigali from 8–10 June 2026. The meeting brought together researchers, clinicians, and partners from seven institutions across Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America to launch the four-year project aimed at accelerating clinical trials for a chikungunya vaccine in Africa.