Scientific Excellence Takes Center Stage as 15th KASH Concludes

The curtains officially closed on the 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference, marking four days of groundbreaking scientific discussions, impactful collaborations, and cutting-edge research presentations. Held from
11th -14th, February, 2025, at the Safari Park Hotel, the conference exceeded expectations, drawing record-breaking participation with 800 attendees at the pre-conference and over 750 joining the main sessions.

Under the theme, “Research, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Health Systems: A Community-Driven Agenda,” the event convened leading researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the latest advancements in health science. The conference featured six plenary sessions, 11 symposia, 29 scientific sessions, and two e-poster presentations, fostering in-depth deliberations on harnessing research and innovation to build resilient healthcare systems while prioritizing community engagement

This year’s event began with the Pre-Conference Day which focused on the theme, “Unveiling Kenya’s Precision Medicine: Strengthening Disease Management through Targeted Therapy.” Precision Medicine represents an innovative, patient-centered approach to healthcare that moves us from reactive to preventive care, enhancing drug efficacy, reducing side effects, and promoting better compliance.

The keynote speaker for the pre-conference, Dr. Hellena Musau, Clinical Oncologist at Kenyatta University Teaching and Referial Research Hospital (KUTRRH) delivered a presentation titled, “The Practice, Promise, and Potential of Precision Medicine for Patients Living with Cancer in Kenya”, that sets the stage for transformative discussions on how Kenya can advance this field to improve health outcomes.

This then set the stage for an interactive and impactful scientific discussions that generated several key resolutions aimed at shaping the future of health research and policy, including:

• Investment in Diagnostics & Emerging Health Technologies – Prioritizing funding for locally relevant diagnostic research and development.

• Advancing Genomics, Omics & Metabolomics – Strengthening collaborations and knowledge-sharing in these fields to enhance capacity.

• Leveraging AI & Data Modeling in Health – Investing in AI-driven analytics to enable real-time disease surveillance and informed decision-making.

• Integrating Mental Health into Primary Healthcare – Recognizing mental health as a crucial public health concern requiring policy integration.

• Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks for Clinical Trials – Establishing centralized regulatory mechanisms to fast-track approvals while maintaining ethical standards.

• Enhancing Community Engagement in Health Solutions – Promoting public participation to improve the implementation and acceptability of health innovations.

• Investing in Surveillance & Outbreak Preparedness – Developing tailored disease intelligence tools for early pathogen detection and response

The Institute’s leadership gave a thumps-up to the 15th, KASH Conference shortly before the curtains were drawn last Friday.

Chairman of the KEMRI Board of Directors, Dr. Abdullahi Ali, led his fellow Directors, including Ms. Faith Mwongela, Mr. Luka Chemwolo, Dr. Damaris Maweu, Mr. Christopher Marwa and Ms. Wangui Njenga in attending the four days event including gracing the closing ceremony.

Other guests who joined the Institute leadership included the Chairman of Board Council University of Kabianga Prof. Monari Mwebi, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC), Dr. Kelly Oluoch, Acting Director General Kenya Biovax, Dr. Cecilia Wanjala and KEMRI Senior management, among others.

Dr. Abdullahi, emphasized the pivotal role of research in transforming healthcare, urging scientists to embrace cutting-edge technologies. “This conference has showcased the immense contribution of KEMRI to advancing health research. The integration of precision medicine and AI-driven diagnostics is revolutionizing healthcare delivery, and it is imperative that we continue leveraging these innovations,” he stated.

The Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, lauded the KASH committee for organizing a high-caliber conference and highlighted the importance of collaboration in research. “Scientific partnerships are the backbone of impactful research. Through collective efforts, we can foster innovation and address pressing health challenges more effectively. I encourage our researchers to build on existing knowledge, refine methodologies, and advance scientific discoveries for meaningful healthcare transformation,” said Prof. Songok.

The conference’s closing ceremony also featured an awards segment celebrating excellence in scientific contributions, including recognition for the most published scientists, outstanding poster presentations, and the prestigious Rising Star Scientific Award. Additionally, the Directorate of Research and Development recognized the most published scientists both overall and per-centre.

Prof. Nelly Mugo, Director, Research and Development, praised the rising stars and all those researchers that received awards, stating, “The dedication of our scientists to innovation and their adaptability in embracing AI technology are shaping the future of healthcare. Their relentless pursuit of excellence is driving transformative solutions with lasting impact.”

KASH Committee Chair, Dr. Cecilia Mbae, echoed similar sentiments, commending the conference’s success and urging continued engagement in scientific discourse. “KASH 15 has been a platform for invaluable exchanges, bridging research, technology, and innovation to drive sustainable health systems. As we wrap up, I extend my gratitude to all participants and look forward to an even more impactful KASH 16.”

The KASH Conference remains a crucial platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and fostering cross-border collaborations in biomedical research. With another successful edition concluded, anticipation is already building for next year’s event, promising fresh scientific breakthroughs and innovative solutions that will shape the future of health research and policies.

KASH 2025 IN PICTURES