By Steve El Sabai
The 15th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Conference, held from February 11th to 14th, 2025, at Safari Park Hotel, brought together leading scientists, policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and industry leaders from across the globe. Organized by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), the conference reaffirmed the critical role of research, technology, and innovation in shaping sustainable healthcare systems.
With the theme “Research Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Health Systems; A Community-driven Agenda,” this year’s event underscored the importance of scientific advancements that are not only driven by technology but also shaped by the needs of local communities. KASH 15 served as a premier platform for knowledge exchange, where experts engaged in meaningful discussions on emerging trends in healthcare research, disease management, and policy development.
During the opening ceremony, Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General & CEO of KEMRI, emphasized the significance of scientific collaboration in addressing public health challenges. He announced the unveiling of the KEMRI Strategic Plan (2023-2027), which is aligned with national and global development frameworks, including Kenya Vision 2030, the Bottom-up Economic Transformational Agenda (BETA), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The strategic plan focuses on six key areas: Research for Human Health, Innovation & Product Development, Disease Surveillance & Response, Research Capacity Building, Financial Sustainability, and Institutional Strengthening.
A major highlight of KASH 15 was the Pre-Conference session dedicated to Precision Medicine, themed “Unveiling Kenya’s Precision Medicine: Strengthening Disease Management through Targeted Therapy.” Precision medicine represents a transformative approach to healthcare by shifting from generalized treatment to more personalized and targeted therapies. Dr. Hellena Musau, a Clinical Oncologist at KUTRRH, delivered a keynote address titled “The Practice, Promise, and Potential of Precision Medicine for Patients Living with Cancer in Kenya,” emphasizing the need for tailored medical solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce adverse drug reactions.
As part of the conference, several groundbreaking initiatives were launched. The KEMRI Precision Medicine Centre of Excellence (PM CoE) and the Precision Medicine Society were officially unveiled, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s efforts to integrate precision medicine into mainstream healthcare. Additionally, the launch of PM Kenya’s Task Force – Think Tank set the stage for national-level collaboration and policy development in the field.
The main conference featured a keynote speech by Professor Feiko ter Kuile, who shared insights from two decades of malaria research partnerships in Kenya. With 330 abstract submissions from researchers in Kenya, Uganda, the USA, India, Japan, the Netherlands, and Rwanda, the conference provided a rich exchange of knowledge. The program included 29 parallel sessions, 43 poster presentations, 9 plenary talks, and 11 symposia covering diverse topics such as digital health, universal health coverage, research innovation, intellectual property rights, and research integrity. Special sessions were dedicated to young investigators, with the best abstracts receiving competitive awards.
This year’s conference also saw increased participation from county representatives, with many abstracts focusing on localized health challenges. To recognize their contributions, awards were presented for the best county presentations, highlighting the role of research in strengthening county-level healthcare systems.
KASH 15 benefited from the collaboration of key local and international partners, including JICA, WSU, CDC, and ICIPE, and featured over 20 exhibitors showcasing innovative healthcare solutions. The success of the event was made possible through the unwavering support of KEMRI’s Board of Directors, chaired by Dr. Abdullahi Ali, and the guidance of the Ministry of Health, led by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Deborah Mulongo Barasa. Their leadership continues to be instrumental in driving scientific research and innovation for better health outcomes.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Cecilia Mbae, Chair of the KASH Organizing Committee, highlighted the importance of fostering meaningful collaborations in scientific research. She urged participants to actively engage, share ideas, and explore partnerships that would drive forward Kenya’s health research agenda.
KASH 15 was more than just a conference; it was a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and community-driven research in transforming healthcare. As participants departed with renewed inspiration, the message was clear—scientific advancements must translate into tangible health solutions that benefit all. The insights and innovations presented at KASH 15 will undoubtedly contribute to shaping Kenya’s healthcare landscape and improving the well-being of communities across the country
