KEMRI OFFICIALLY OPENS ITS 15TH RESEARCH CENTRE IN UASIN GISHU COUNTY

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) inaugurated its 15^th Research Centre, the Sports Science Research Centre (SSRC), located in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The official opening ceremony was graced by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Health (MoH), Nakhumicha S. Wafula on 17^th August, 2023.

The colourful event was attended by various notable individuals and key sports health stakeholders including Principal Secretary State Department for Performance Management and Service Delivery, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Anne N. Wang’ombe, the CEO Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Ahmed Dagane, CEO Nursing Council of Kenya, Dr. Edna C. Tallam-Kimaiyo, CEC Health Uasin Gishu County, Dr Kotut Sam, Salaries and Renumeration Commission (SRC) Commissioner, Hon. Senator Isaac Melly, and members from the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) among others.

The KEMRI Eldoret, Sports Science Research Center (SSRC) is poised to evolve into a fully-fledged facility that will be dedicated to comprehensively address the well-being of our athletes through a spectrum of holistic research studies including sports medicine and medical research components specifically targeting Nutrition Research, Social and Mental Health Research, Clinical Health aspects as well as the provision of laboratory services.

“As a ministry we are delighted that the research and care to be provided by the KERMI Eldoret Research Centre will encompass a holistic approach to sports health and medical research components,” intimated Health CS, Nakhumicha.

The establishment of the KEMRI Eldoret SSRC holds significant importance not only for the Institute but also for the entire country and particularly for the sporting community in the region. Apart from its emphasis on sports health research, the SSRC will also function as the Rift Valley regional hub for human health research. This suggests that the center will engage in broader health-related research beyond just sports science.

“The development of this center is important, because there is no other facility in the country dedicated to comprehensively addressing the well-being of our athletes. Kenya is a Sports Powerhouse especially in Athletics. We want this centre, that is rightly domiciled here at the City of Champions to eventually help us address the doping crisis which is threatening to stain our sports and taint the careers of athletics and other sports players in the country,” said Uasin Gishu County Governor, Hon. Jonathan Bii.

By prioritizing sports health research and fostering scientific advancements in this field, SSRC aims to contribute to the overall well-being of athletes, the prevention of sports-related injuries, and the promotion of healthy athletic practices. This center’s location in Eldoret, a region known for its athletics excellence, further highlights its strategic importance in supporting athletes and advancing sports science in Kenya.

In his remarks, the Director-General (DG) KEMRI, Prof. Elijah Songok, reaffirmed the Institute’s dedication to ensuring the success of the Sports Science Research Centre (SSRC). He emphasized that KEMRI’s aim is to establish a comprehensive platform that caters to the diverse requirements of the sports community. This includes not only addressing the athletes’ physical health but also their social and mental well-being. “KEMRI shall seek to provide a holistic platform that supports the excellence of our sports team across their various needs from direct physical health, social and mental well-being. Beyond their direct medical and physical well-being, we also delve into other soft areas of research called social sciences that touches on the well-being of our sportsmen and women while seeking to understand the factors that drive or deter our sports people to excel.”

The SSRC’s focus on sports medicine and research signifies KEMRI’s commitment to understanding the unique challenges and demands faced by athletes. This endeavor will not only lead to advancements in injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation but will also shed light on the broader aspects of sports performance and the factors that influence athletes’ success.

“Our belief is that this facility will not only serve as a hub for athlete sample testing but also as a homegrown platform for other human health research needs. We aim to eliminate the need to send samples abroad, thus making the process more efficient and timelier. This initiative is perfectly aligned with the current needs of our nation,” animated KEMRI’s Board of Directors Chair, Dr. Abdullahi Ali

As KEMRI delves into this new realm, it’s likely to foster collaboration with athletes, coaches, sports organizations, and researchers from various fields. This interdisciplinary approach will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of sports science and its impact on athletes’ lives. The dawn of this new era indicates KEMRI’s willingness to adapt and expand its research focus to address emerging needs and contribute to the betterment of both athletes and the broader society.

While representing the State Department for Performance Management and Service Delivery, Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Principal Secretary Ms. Anne N. Wang’ombe, acknowledged and commended the growth of the Institute, “It brings me great pleasure to be back to KEMRI and to see the progress and impact the Institute continues to make. The Prime Cabinet Secretary’s Office pledge its support to ensure continued success of this great Institute,” concluded Ms. Wang’ombe.

On her part, the MoH CS, Nakhumicha S. Wafula appreciated the Institute for the groundbreaking research it carries out. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to KEMRI for consistently demonstrating excellence in conducting ground-breaking research in human health, which holds immense significance for both our local and global needs.”