Kenya has taken a significant step forward in the fight against HIV with the launch of the Rachuonyo County Clinical Trial Centre in Homa Bay County.
The trial centre, considered a state-of-the-art facility, will be dedicated to advancing HIV prevention research among young women.
“This centre will play a central role in the EXPrESSIVE-10 trial, a multi-country study evaluating a once-monthly oral HIV prevention drug,” the Ministry of Health stated on their page on X platform.
The new facility is the result of a high-level collaboration between Rachuonyo Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and the University of Washington, with support from Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (MSD) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The initiative is spearheaded by the KNH Directorate of Research, Training and Innovation, under the leadership of Prof. John Kinuthia and Prof. Carey Farquhar, and is led on-site by Dr. Irene Inwani.
The EXPrESSIVE-10 trial (MK-8527-010) is being conducted in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, targeting women aged 16 to 30 years, a demographic disproportionately affected by new HIV infections.
In Kenya, the trial is being implemented across three
additional KEMRI-affiliated sites.
The first being Partners in Health and Research Development, a research organization affiliated with KEMRI, based in Thika, focusing on HIV prevention, reproductive health, and implementation science, PHRD Thika, led by Prof. Nelly Mugo.
The other one is the Research Care and Training Program, a division within KEMRI’s Centre for Global Health Research in Kisumu, specializing in HIV prevention, treatment, and health systems research, RCTP Kisumu, led by Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi.
Last but not least, there is the Kargeno Research and Policy Hub led by Dr. Maricianah Onono, which is a research initiative focused on policy-driven health research and community engagement in HIV prevention.
Speaking during the launch, Grace Mercy Osewe, CECM for Public Health and Medical Services in Homa Bay County, who officiated the event on behalf of the Governor, hailed the Centre as a “beacon of hope” for local communities.
“This facility is a catalyst for cutting-edge research that places women at the centre of prevention efforts,” Osewe said.
The Rachuonyo Centre is expected to enhance Kenya’s capacity to contribute to global HIV research while addressing local needs.
It also symbolizes a shift toward community-driven innovation, where research is not only conducted in partnership with international institutions but also rooted in the lived realities of Kenyan women.
Kenya has long been recognized as a leader in HIV research in sub-Saharan Africa, and the launch of this Centre reinforces that reputation.
With the country still facing high HIV prevalence rates, particularly in regions like Homa Bay, the development of new prevention tools is seen as critical to achieving long-term epidemic control.
The Centre’s establishment reflects a broader commitment to equity in health research, ensuring that young African women, often underrepresented in clinical trials, are at the forefront of innovation.
As the EXPrESSIVE-10
trial progresses, the findings could shape the future of HIV prevention not
just in Kenya, but globally.
