Kenya Institute of Primate Research hosts 20th scientific conference on transforming health through innovative research

 

 The Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, Mary Muthoni Muriuki, CBS, has commended the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) for its continued leadership in advancing scientific innovation and health research in Kenya and across the region.

This week, KIPRE is hosting its 20th Scientific Conference under the theme “Transforming Health through Innovative Research.” The annual event brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and advocates from across Africa to share cutting-edge scientific insights and strengthen biomedical and biotechnology capacity on the continent.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, PS Muriuki reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to leveraging research and innovation to advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC), enhance disease prevention, and improve emergency response capacity.

“The evolving global health landscape — from infectious to non-communicable diseases — demands collaborative, evidence-based approaches that integrate science, technology, and policy,” she said.

“We call on participants to actively engage, share insights, and forge partnerships that translate research into practical solutions for public health challenges. Through collaboration, we can harness our collective expertise to improve health outcomes for all.”

The conference is expected to generate actionable recommendations and reinforce Kenya’s position as a regional leader in health innovation, research, and biotechnology development.

In his remarks, Dr. Gichuhi Mwethera, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of KIPRE, highlighted the institute’s groundbreaking work in addressing snakebite envenoming, a persistent public health challenge in Kenya.

He noted that over 20,000 Kenyans suffer snakebites annually, resulting in approximately 8,000 permanent disfigurements and 4,000 deaths. The effectiveness of existing antivenoms — primarily imported from Europe and India — has been limited, as they are not formulated using local snake venoms.

“Through advanced scientific research, KIPRE is developing Kenya’s first locally manufactured antivenom, tailored to local snake species to enhance its effectiveness,” said Dr. Mwethera.

“The government has invested significant resources in this project, and the first batch is expected before the end of the year — a milestone that will save countless lives.”

Kenya consumes about 100,000 vials of antivenom annually, though many cases go unreported due to low public awareness. To address this, KIPRE is working closely with community health promoters to increase awareness and improve response to snakebite incidents.