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Sunday, 4 October 2026
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Sunday, 4 October 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization

Kenya Medical Research Institute

Also known as: KEMRI

Conducts medical research and disease surveillance in Kenya, including surveys on newborn mortality and hepatitis screening.

2026-04-272026-10-04
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In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026

  2. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya May 14 – President William Ruto has officially awarded university charters to the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), elevating the two institutions to full university status in a move aimed a …

    President Ruto Strengthens Science and Research Sector by Granting KAIST and KEMRI University Status
  3. April 2026

  4. The Standard

    KEMRI promotes new tool to expand malnutrition screening and guide community action. [File, Standard] The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) is pushing for wider malnutrition screening and adoption of data at the community level for policy interventions, using a newly devel …

    KEMRI pushes for malnutrition screening using new tool, data-driven action

  5. The Standard

    … In Kenya, the Kenya Medical Research Institute is leading efforts to integrate traditional and herbal medicine into mainstream healthcare, including developing six herbal products targeting cancer. …

    Ruto calls for Africa-led health transformation
Society

Pharmacies expand beyond commodity sales to family planning services

The News

A five-year project in Kenya is testing whether selected community pharmacies can provide contraceptive counselling, method choice and reproductive health services alongside dispensing, aiming to bridge the gap between simple commodity sales and quality family planning care. The Strengthening Pharmacy Provision of Contraceptives in Kenya Market Test project, implemented by inSupply Health with the Ministry of Health and partner organisations, began in 2021 to assess whether the expanded model works for both clients and businesses.

28 September 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 28 September

  1. Pharmacies expand beyond commodity sales to family planning services

    A five-year project in Kenya is testing whether selected community pharmacies can provide contraceptive counselling, method choice and reproductive health services alongside dispensing, aiming to bridge the gap between simple commodity sales and quality family planning care. The Strengthening Pharmacy Provision of Contraceptives in Kenya Market Test project, implemented by inSupply Health with the Ministry of Health and partner organisations, began in 2021 to assess whether the expanded model works for both clients and businesses.

    28 September 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 27 September

  1. Investment in newborn units reduces preterm mortality in Siaya

    Siaya County, which recorded some of the highest child mortality rates in the country at 63 deaths per 1,000 live births, is seeing improvement through the establishment of newborn units at hospitals in Siaya and Bondo over the past three years. A 2024 KEMRI survey found that inadequate health infrastructure accounted for nearly half of preventable deaths among premature babies.

    27 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 10 September

  1. Nairobi Water announces 26-hour shutdown for pipeline repairs

    Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company will shut down the Sasumua Water Treatment Plant from 6am Friday to 8am Saturday, September 12, for emergency repairs along the Sasumua-Kabete pipeline. The shutdown will affect water supply across large parts of Nairobi, including residential estates, hospitals, learning institutions, the CBD, and parts of the airport corridor.

    10 September 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Nairobi water supply interrupted for 26 hours in five constituencies

    The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company will shut down the Sasumua Water Treatment Plant on September 11–12 for emergency repairs on the Sasumua–Kabete pipeline, affecting water supply in Dagoretti, Westlands, Starehe, Kibra and Lang'ata constituencies. The company advises customers to store adequate water in advance.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard →

  3. New Hepatitis B trend unsettles Lamu health experts

    Health officials in Lamu are concerned about a rising trend of Hepatitis B cases in the county. Recent screening has identified positive cases among fishermen, seamen, and healthcare workers, with patients attributing transmission to unprotected sex and occupational exposure.

    10 September 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 8 September

  1. Hepatitis B spike surprises scientists in Lamu County

    Scientists reporting a spike in Hepatitis B infections in Lamu County are puzzled by the finding, as the region has been dominated by Hepatitis C infections, with at least three out of 10 people infected with Hepatitis C. The discovery was made during mass screening by the National AIDS and STI Control Programme and Kenya Medical Research Institute.

    8 September 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 7 September

  1. Hepatitis C linked to drug injection in Lamu County

    Lamu County is recording a high burden of Hepatitis C among people aged 40–70, linked to injection drug use through shared needles. NASCOP estimates Lamu has about 29 per cent Hepatitis C prevalence, among the highest in the country.

    7 September 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 6 September

  1. PPB calls for stricter safety standards on traditional medicines

    The Pharmacy and Poisons Board has called for stronger quality assurance, safety monitoring and scientific research to ensure traditional medicines used in Kenya are safe, effective and of consistent quality, emphasizing accurate dosing, standardised production and clear product labelling.

    6 September 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 3 September

  1. Kenya targets 2028 for traditional medicine mainstream integration

    Kenya has set 2028 as the target to integrate evidence-based traditional medicine into the mainstream healthcare system, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale stating the government will not create a parallel system but bring traditional, complementary, and modern medicine together under one healthcare framework, provided traditional practices meet safety, quality, and effectiveness standards. The integration will be guided by the National Traditional Complementary Intervention Medicine Policy, which the Ministry of Health is finalizing and will present to Cabinet for approval after nationwide public participation.

    3 September 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 31 August

  1. Kenya strengthens cold-chain systems for medical research

    Kenya's medical research and disease surveillance is expected to improve through increased access to dry ice and specialised cold-chain services, which are critical for keeping biological samples at required temperatures during collection and transportation to laboratories. KEMRI notes that gaps in cold-chain facilities outside Nairobi can compromise sample integrity, particularly during disease outbreaks and for regional diagnostics work.

    31 August 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 29 August

  1. MOH launches coordinated plan for El Niño health risks

    Kenya's Ministry of Health has announced a Health Sector El Niño Contingency Plan for the 2026/2027 season to mitigate health risks from anticipated heavy rains, flooding and displacement. The plan brings together national and county governments, emergency agencies, humanitarian organisations and development partners to prevent and respond to flood-related health emergencies, particularly water- and food-borne diseases.

    29 August 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 25 August

  1. Africa must bridge funding gap to commercialise bioeconomy research

    The British High Commissioner to Kenya said Africa's bioeconomy is held back not by a shortage of scientific ideas but by failure to turn research into investable businesses. He noted that African countries lack the financing pipelines, industry links and institutional systems needed to move discoveries from laboratories into commercial products and jobs.

    25 August 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 15 August

  1. KEMRI addresses women's health challenges across Africa

    In May 2026, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) achieved significant developments in tackling women's health challenges in Africa.

    15 August 2026 · The Standard →

Wednesday 29 July

  1. CS Ogamba urges Kenya-UK focus on healthcare education and skills development

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called for Kenya and the UK to prioritize education, research and skills development in their healthcare partnership, emphasizing that well-trained healthcare professionals are essential for universal health coverage. The Kenya-UK Health Alliance, launched in 2021, has attracted over £116 million in research and training investments and enabled more than 280 Kenyan nurses to qualify.

    29 July 2026 · Capital News →

  2. Ogamba urges education focus in Kenya-UK health partnership

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has called for education, research and skills development to be the cornerstone of the Kenya-UK health partnership, arguing that universal health coverage depends on a highly skilled healthcare workforce. Since its 2021 establishment, the Kenya-UK Health Alliance has attracted more than £116 million in research and capacity-building investments and trained over 280 Kenyan nurses to international standards.

    29 July 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 28 July

  1. Health experts warn hepatitis B remains silent epidemic in Kenya

    Scientists and health experts say hepatitis B has remained a silent epidemic in Kenya because many people living with it remain undiagnosed, citing stigma, inadequate diagnostic capacity, low public awareness and chronic underfunding as barriers. Hepatitis B and C are the biggest public health concern because they are transmitted similarly to HIV, including from mother to child, through unprotected sex and exposure to infected blood.

    28 July 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 26 July

  1. Ruto vows peaceful 2027 elections, promises to tackle goon attacks

    President William Ruto assured Kenya of peaceful elections in 2027, saying his administration will deal firmly with goonism. He linked increased goon attacks at political events to leniency shown during 2024 Gen Z protests, stating that protesters "have now graduated to goons."

    26 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 23 July

  1. Mark Too's family resolves decade-long succession dispute

    A 10-year succession dispute over the estate of late former Nominated MP Mark Too has been settled by court-approved agreement at the High Court in Eldoret. The settlement recognizes his daughter Chepkoech Too as a beneficiary and awards her 200 acres of agricultural land in Uasin Gishu County and Sh15 million in compensation.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 18 July

  1. Senator questions three-year delay in appointing KEMRI director general

    Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has questioned KEMRI's prolonged delay in appointing a substantive Director General, noting the institution has operated under acting leadership since 2022. He has formally sought a response from the Senate Committee on Health, arguing that stable leadership is essential for an institution charged with safeguarding public health and advancing medical research.

    18 July 2026 · Capital News →

Sunday 12 July

  1. DCI investigation into disputed HIV report withdrawn

    A criminal investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations into media reports disputing a man's HIV diagnosis has been withdrawn after the complainant chose forgiveness over legal action. The complaint, filed after publications in February 2026 questioned the man's HIV treatment history and claims of testing negative following a religious gathering, prompted a DCI probe into his medical records and the accuracy of the reporting.

    12 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 11 July

  1. American doctor contracts Ebola; Kenya quarantine plan scrutinised

    An American physician contracted Ebola while treating patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been evacuated to the United States, reigniting debate in Kenya over a controversial government plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility in Nanyuki. The U.S. has announced a Sh1.9 billion investment to strengthen Kenya's disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and border screening capabilities.

    11 July 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 9 July

  1. US funds Kenya Ebola readiness with Sh1.9 billion across 22 counties

    Kenya will receive Sh1.9 billion from the United States to strengthen readiness against Ebola Virus Disease in 22 high-risk counties through new laboratories, trained personnel, and emergency response centres. The funding covers disease surveillance, laboratory systems, healthcare worker training, emergency response coordination, risk communication, and screening at points of entry.

    9 July 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 5 July

  1. Kenya enhances screening at Malaba border post for Ebola

    Health authorities at the Malaba border post have intensified screening protocols following an Ebola virus outbreak declaration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The border screens and clears between 1,500 to 2,000 people daily, with one suspected case recorded since screening began.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Kenya enhances screening at Malaba border after DRC Ebola outbreak

    Health authorities at the Malaba border post have intensified screening protocols following an Ebola outbreak declaration in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The border typically screens between 1,500 to 2,000 people daily, comprising approximately 800 international travellers and 700 locals, with one suspected case recorded so far.

    5 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Thursday 2 July

  1. Japan commits KSh3 billion to Kenya's vaccine manufacturing

    Japan has committed KSh3 billion to support Kenya's local vaccine manufacturing programme, with the funding to be channelled through the State Department for Medical Services and KEMRI to strengthen research infrastructure and skills development.

    2 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Sunday 28 June

  1. Chepso and Lagat win inaugural KEMRI Cross Country Championships

    Mercy Chepso and Kenneth Lagat were crowned champions at the inaugural KEMRI Cross Country Championships held at Eldoret Sports Club on Sunday, with Chepso winning the senior women's 10-kilometre race in 34:47.6 and Lagat claiming the senior men's race in 29:49.2. Organisers pledged to make the event an annual fixture aimed at promoting sports science, athlete health, and community engagement.

    28 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 27 June

  1. Kenya's health system capacity tested by Ebola preparedness plans

    An Ebola quarantine facility planned at Laikipia Air Base has prompted health experts to assess Kenya's readiness to handle such outbreaks, with gaps identified in isolation infrastructure, laboratory capacity, workforce training, surveillance, and emergency logistics. Experts say the country has human resources expertise but requires better financing, research partnerships, technological integration, and responsive leadership, with some challenges requiring cultural and attitudinal shifts beyond technical solutions.

    27 June 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 14 June

  1. Kenya confirms no Ebola cases as surveillance intensifies

    Kenya has recorded no confirmed Ebola cases despite heightened surveillance, according to the Public Health Principal Secretary. The government has tested about 90 samples, all negative, and intensified screening at major entry points including JKIA and six gazetted border crossings.

    14 June 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Treasury announces 4.8 trillion shilling budget priorities

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi presented Kenya's 4.8 trillion shilling national budget for 2026/27, with the largest allocation—784.5 billion shillings—going to education, alongside significant funding for security, health, agricultural transformation, and infrastructure to support the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

    11 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →

  2. Government allocates Sh177.2 billion to health sector for universal coverage

    Kenya's Treasury has proposed a Sh177.2 billion allocation to the health sector in the 2026/27 financial year to accelerate Universal Health Coverage rollout and strengthen access to essential healthcare services. Major allocations include Sh19.1 billion for Primary Health Care Funds, Sh8.6 billion for UHC staff, Sh18.5 billion for disease prevention programmes, and Sh6.4 billion for vaccines and immunisation initiatives.

    11 June 2026 · Capital News →

Kenya Medical Research Institute — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute