The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has expressed support for the Kenya Medical Research Institute’s (KEMRI) request for an additional Sh500 million to complete the construction of a modern biomedical research complex.
KEMRI regards the research complex at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) as critical in strengthening the country’s disease surveillance, research, and emergency preparedness.
The committee, chaired by Seme Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. James Nyikal, made the commitment during an oversight visit to inspect the progress of the Exchequer-funded project, which KEMRI insists requires additional financing to become fully operational.
Speaking after the fact-finding visit of the institute, Dr. Nyikal reported that the committee appreciated the progress made on the facility and recognized the need to ensure its completion so that it can enhance the country’s capacity in health research, innovation, and training.
“The Committee has seen the value of this investment and appreciates the progress achieved so far. We will support efforts to secure the additional funding required to complete the project because it is vital to the country’s health research agenda,” he emphasised.
Endebes Member of Parliament (MP), Dr. Robert Pukose, who is the vice-chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, assured KEMRI that the budget committee would give due consideration to the institute’s request during the budget allocation process.
Dr. Pukose noted that investing in research infrastructure would strengthen Kenya’s capacity to respond to emerging public health threats while supporting innovation and evidence-based healthcare.
Presenting the Institute’s Status Report to the Committee, KEMRI Director General (DG) Prof. Elijah Songok, pointed out that the research complex is among KEMRI’s most important strategic investments and will significantly boost Kenya’s ability to respond to disease outbreaks through advanced laboratory research and specialized workforce training.
Prof. Songok explained that although KEMRI’s academic programmes remain under the oversight of the Ministry of Education, the institute continues to execute its health research mandate under the Ministry of Health.
“The laboratories we are constructing are critical for specialized research and training. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of investing in modern research infrastructure, and these facilities will strengthen our preparedness for future outbreaks, including diseases such as Ebola,” Prof. Songok told the committee.
He announced that the new facility will provide specialized laboratories, research offices, and training spaces that will enable scientists to undertake advanced biomedical research while supporting collaboration with universities, referral hospitals, and international research institutions.
Prof. Songok further informed the legislators that KEMRI has developed several locally manufactured health products, including sanitizers and traditional medicines, but noted that regulatory and policy barriers have slowed their commercialization.
The DG appealed for legislative support to create an enabling environment for public research institutions to manufacture and market locally developed innovations, saying this would promote the government’s ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ agenda while reducing dependence on imported medical products.
“We have developed products that can benefit Kenyans, but there is a need for policy and legislative support to enable government research institutions to commercialize their innovations for the benefit of the country,” he reiterated.
Members of the committee commended KEMRI for its contribution to medical research, disease surveillance, diagnostics, and public health policy, noting that completion of the research complex will enhance Kenya’s position as a regional center for biomedical research and innovation.
The legislators pledged to work with relevant parliamentary committees to support the institute’s funding request and ensure the project is completed within the shortest time possible.
By Aron Kinyamasyo and Michael Omondi
