KEMRI Secures Historic £91M Deal with Wellcome & Oxford to Transform Health Research in Kenya

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By irene 




In a monumental step for medical research in Kenya, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has secured a £91 million (KES 15 billion) funding deal through a seven-year partnership with Wellcome and the University of Oxford. The agreement, signed at Wellcome’s headquarters in London, marks a renewed commitment to advancing groundbreaking medical research and training in the region.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by KEMRI’s Acting Director General and CEO, Prof. Elijah Songok, alongside Wellcome’s CEO, Dr. John-Arne Røttingen, and Prof. Gavin Screaton, Head of Medical Sciences at Oxford’s Nuffield Department. This collaboration builds upon over 36 years of joint research efforts, which have significantly contributed to tackling major global health challenges.
“This partnership is not just an investment in research; it’s an investment in healthier, more resilient communities across Kenya and beyond,” Prof. Songok stated, emphasizing that the initiative supports over 30% of KEMRI’s research.

Dr. Røttingen reaffirmed Wellcome’s commitment to addressing global health threats such as mental health disorders, climate change, and infectious diseases. Prof. Screaton echoed this, highlighting Oxford’s dedication to fostering equitable collaborations that benefit Africa’s health landscape.

Building upon an agreement signed in November 2024, this extended partnership will continue to drive research into malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, HIV, malnutrition, and COVID-19. It has already played a key role in developing life-saving vaccines, including two malaria vaccines and the Rift Valley Fever vaccine under the One Health approach.

With KEMRI’s strong focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and medical innovation, this partnership cements its position as a leader in African health research, bringing hope for transformative healthcare solutions across the continent.


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