On June 19, 2021, the Parliamentary Committee on Health led by Ndiwa Member of Parliament Martin Owino toured the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Kilifi centre.
The committee emphasized the need for KEMRI to be allocated Ksh 50 billion annually to support scientific research in the country.
According to Owino, KEMRI is a crucial government institution that conducts research on diseases but has been underfunded for years, relying heavily on donor funding.
Speaking during the tour, Owino highlighted the importance of KEMRI in preventing diseases that could be dangerous, citing the institute's hub of experts with long-term experience and passion in research.
He noted that the previous year's allocation of Ksh 2.27 billion for the financial year 2021 was increased to Ksh 2.9 billion for the next financial year.
As per their report, Owino stated that KEMRI was ranked number eight in Africa and had the potential to do more, hence the push for additional funding.
Currently, the legislator noted that there are 200 researchers to one million people in Kenya, compared to the developed world where there are 5000 researchers to one million people.
At the KEMRI centre, researchers are conducting genomic sequencing of the Covid-19 vaccine and have already started phase 2 vaccine trials.
Chairman of KEMRI Board of Management Daniel Mbinda emphasized the importance of research in health, stating that it capacitates other sectors of the economy and disease surveillance is a multi-sectorial activity involving many government departments.
He added that their aim is to ensure they concentrate on the surveillance of diseases as diseases move with the people.
Currently, KEMRI does not have the capacity to cover the whole country but plans to reach out to border points, which are crucial areas where animals and people move with diseases.
Acting Director-General KEMRI Joseph Mwangangi stated that KEMRI researchers are working hard to find a vaccine for Covid-19, but finding and developing a vaccine is an expensive venture and requires government support.
Lamu Woman Representative Ruweida Mohamed expressed her support for increased funding for research at KEMRI, citing the need for the institution to reach areas including Lamu, which is experiencing mega projects such as the Lapsset project.
