Patmoz
By Njeri Irungu
September 16, 2025
Nairobi, Kenya — The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, has officially launched a state-of-the-art polio laboratory at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its public health surveillance and epidemic preparedness.
Speaking at the commissioning of the lab, CS Duale hailed the facility as a turning point in Kenya’s ability to respond to public health threats, emphasizing its role in building local scientific capacity, reducing reliance on foreign laboratories, and creating jobs for Kenyan scientists and technicians.
“This lab will help us strengthen our primary health care system, improve epidemic preparedness and early warning mechanisms, and reduce our turnaround time for critical diagnostics from 35–40 days to just a few days,” said Duale.
Previously, Kenya had to send polio samples to laboratories in South Africa or the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, USA, resulting in delays in outbreak response. The new facility, developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is expected to dramatically improve the country’s capacity to detect, monitor, and respond to polio and other epidemic threats.
Duale noted that the laboratory will not only serve Kenya but also support regional disease surveillance, with countries like Yemen, Comoros, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan set to benefit from its services.
“This lab is one of its kind in our region and it puts Kenya on track to become a continental hub for health sciences and innovation,” Duale added.
The new lab also lays the groundwork for a broader multi-pathogen genomic platform, which will help detect other emerging infectious diseases such as mpox (monkeypox), measles, rubella, and other epidemic-prone pathogens. According to Duale, this will significantly boost Kenya’s compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and strengthen global health security efforts.
The Health Cabinet Secretary further revealed that the government has officially designated KEMRI as an institution of strategic national importance, putting it at the same level as national security institutions. This move aims to safeguard funding and support for KEMRI, following past concerns about budget cuts that affected the institution’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
“We have passed in Cabinet to elevate KEMRI’s status. It is no longer just a research institute—it is a national strategic asset,” Duale stated.
When asked about previous funding shortfalls, including millions lost due to budget cuts, Duale acknowledged the challenges and reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainable domestic investment in health research and innovation.
“We will spare no effort to ensure this facility meets the highest standards. Our goal is not just regional leadership in polio surveillance, but becoming a continental center of excellence for epidemic preparedness,” he said.
The launch of the lab comes amid a renewed focus on health systems strengthening across Africa, driven by lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks. With this development, Kenya is positioning itself not only to safeguard its own population but also to serve as a regional anchor in disease surveillance, research, and innovation
Shadrack Nyakoe
