THE 16TH KEMRI ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC AND HEALTH CONFERENCE KICKS OFF

By Stella Njung’e

The much-anticipated 16th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Conference (KASH) has started in earnest, as researchers, policymakers, academia and private and public sector leaders gather to chart the future of Kenya’s health system through research, innovations, technology, and local manufacturing.

The conference convened under the theme “The Future of Health: Scientific Research, Innovations, Technologies and Manufacturing for a Resilient UHC.” The theme reflects the critical role of research, innovation, and local manufacturing in strengthening health systems, improving access to quality healthcare, and ensuring sustainability in the face of emerging and re-emerging health challenges.

This year’s conference marks a historic milestone, attracting a record 1,000 delegates, featuring 350 oral and poster abstract presentations and 21 symposia, the highest numbers since the conference began, further cementing it as a premier platform for research, scientific dialogue, and networking.

The conference features a robust and multidisciplinary scientific programme covering key thematic areas, including Reimagining Public Health and Health Systems; Innovative Strategies for Infectious Diseases, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR); Harnessing Natural Products for Drug Discovery and Therapeutics; Battling Non-Communicable Diseases, from Prevention to Care; One Health and Climate-Resilient Systems; Transformative Sexual, Reproductive, and Child Health; and Genomics and Precision Medicine: Bridging Science to Impact.

Among the 34 scientific sessions scheduled, the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) track emerged as the most subscribed, underscoring the growing recognition of AMR as a critical challenge to health security, clinical care, and sustainable development.

KASH was officially opened by Cabinet Secretary (CS), the Ministry of Health (MoH), Hon. Aden Duale. He was flanked by Principal Secretary, State department for Public Health and Professional Standards, represented by Dr. Stephen Muleshi.

While making his opening remarks, the KEMRI Board of Directors Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ali underscored the timeliness and strategic relevance of this year’s conference theme, noting that it speaks directly to the evolving demands of resilient health systems.

“This year’s theme reflects a clear recognition that the future of health systems will be determined not only by service delivery, but by the strength of our research ecosystems, our innovation pipelines, and our capacity to manufacture solutions locally,” animated Dr. Abdullahi.

With Kenya expected to graduate from GAVI support in 2029, this year’s pre-conference set the tone with a timely and forward-looking conversation on vaccines, centred on advancing Kenya’s vaccine research, development, and manufacturing capacity to strengthen sustainable health security.

This session spotlighted Kenya’s growing scientific and industrial capabilities in vaccine research, development, and manufacturing. It also provided a platform for stakeholders to interrogate strategic gaps and challenges that must be addressed to achieve vaccine self-reliance and strengthen national and regional health security. Discussions explored research and development, policy frameworks, partnerships, technology transfer, workforce development, and investment opportunities critical to building a robust vaccine ecosystem, and closed with a keynote address was made by Principal Secretary, State Department for Science Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak. 

While making his official opening remarks, the CS MoH Hon. Aden Duale, emphasized that strengthening vaccine research, development, and manufacturing is not merely a scientific priority, but one that is central to Kenya’s health security, economic competitiveness, and national sovereignty.

“Under the leadership of President William Samoei Ruto, science, innovation, and manufacturing have been placed at the heart of our health and development agenda through deliberate policy reforms, increased financing, and institutional realignment. With the establishment of a dedicated State Department for Science, the rollout of a 10-year national research masterplan, expanded investment in research funding, and the positioning of Kenya as a regional vaccine manufacturing hub, we are laying the foundation for vaccine self-sufficiency as we transition from GAVI support and secure our health future,” he stated.

 Reflecting on recent global health challenges, Hon. Duale added, “The COVID-19 pandemic taught us a painful lesson, global vaccine manufacturing is deeply unequal, and Africa was left at the back of the queue. Building domestic capacity is therefore not optional, it is essential.”

His sentiments were echoed by the Ag. Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, “The deliberations today on vaccines reaffirmed a fundamental truth: vaccine research, development, and manufacturing are no longer optional scientific pursuits. They are core pillars of national health security, industrial and innovation policy, economic resilience, and continental self-reliance,” he alluded Prof. Songok.

While closing his official remarks, Hon. Duale issued three clear calls to action to guide the outcomes of the Conference. He urged policymakers to sustain investments in science, innovation, and local manufacturing, emphasizing their central role in advancing Universal Health Coverage and driving economic transformation. He called on researchers to intensify mission-oriented research by publishing more, collaborating more, patenting innovations, and translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions. Finally, he challenged partners and industry to invest with confidence in Kenya’s health innovation and manufacturing ecosystem, underscoring that the country is open to partnerships that create jobs, build resilience, and deliver quality health products for its people.

Speaking on behalf of the conference secretariat, the Chair, Dr. Cecilia Mbae noted that this year’s programme reflects the breadth, depth, and ambition of KEMRI’s scientific agenda.

“We have intentionally created space for conversations that bridge science to policy, innovation to impact, and research to real-world solutions, offering a rich and diverse scientific programme that speaks to both national priorities and global health challenges. We thank all our delegates for their participation and commitment, which have made this conference a reality,” Dr. Mbae said.

Present at the opening ceremony were Board Directors, Dr. Damars Maweu, Ms. Faith Mwongerah, Mr. Christopher Marwa, Mr. Luka Chemwolo, Ms. Vivian Chebichii, Ms. Wangui Njenga and Dr. Ruth Bosire and KEMRI Senior management.

This year’s conference has been sponsored by KCB Bank, Carramore International Limited, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, Inqaba Biotech, and GA Insurance Limited.