Details of Sh3bn Kenya-Japan MoU on Kemri project

Kenya has secured a Sh3 billion deal with Japan to support a health sector project.

President William Ruto on Thursday witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and Japan during his visit to Japan.

The Sh3 billion will aid in the construction of a high-level facility for training scientists in research and development of biotechnology products that can quickly be used by the country in the event of a biothreat or a new pandemic.

In a statement, KEMRI's Acting Director General and Chief Executive Officer Elijah Songok lauded the move citing that this investment cemented KEMRI’s forefront position in leading other Kenyan and Regional Institutions in enhancing Research and Development for improved health and wellbeing.

"We thank our President and the Japanese government for this new initiative. With the construction of this new facility at KEMRI, we shall be able to support the country and the region in maintaining a new cadre of scientists that will immensely contribute to the required expertise for research and local development of medical products," Songok said.

Songok said the facility will contain biocontainment laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment for use in disease surveillance, pathogen identification, drugs, vaccines and diagnostic kits design, discovery and development.

He said it is critical to the attainment of the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

"By designing, developing, and producing local drugs, vaccines and diagnostics, especially those Point of Care diagnostics, KEMRI will be able to support accelerated implementation of UHC," he added.

He said the grant aid continues Japan's support for the establishment and expansion of research facilities at KEMRI.

According to the DG construction of the facility is also in response to the current Kenya government initiative for building capacity in local manufacturing of medical products.

He said Japan, through JICA, has been KEMRI’s key partner in her capacity-building efforts and recently marked the 60th Anniversary celebrations of the Japan-Kenya Partnership in the Health Sector, through JICA.