President William Ruto has revealed that he is setting up a private laboratory on one of his farms as part of efforts to support research and innovation in the country.
The President made the remarks on Thursday during the award of university charters to the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) universities at State House, Nairobi.
Ruto said scientific equipment for the laboratory is already on its way to the country, signalling what he described as a growing focus on research as a key pillar of Kenya’s development.
“I am already developing a laboratory on my farm. I got some equipment which is on its way for the laboratory,” Ruto said.
The Head of State noted that Kenya’s future depends heavily on investing in research, science, and innovation, especially in addressing health challenges facing the country.
“I believe that the future of our nation is in making sure that research becomes front and centre of everything that we are doing so that we not only keep on improving on knowledge and experience but we also begin to share in the knowledge with others,” he added.
Ruto also challenged universities and research institutions to strengthen innovation and scientific research, saying Kenya must produce more local scientists and reduce overreliance on foreign expertise.
He praised the elevation of KAIST and KEMRI into fully chartered universities, saying the move would help grow the country’s research capacity and create more opportunities for scientific advancement.
“I am very happy that finally a great institution like KEMRI has reached a level where they can produce more scientists, create more knowledge in the space that is relevant through the health of our nation,” the President said.
Although Ruto did not disclose the exact location of the farm or the kind of research the laboratory will undertake, the announcement is likely to spark interest in Kenya’s expanding science and health research sector.
Kenya has in recent years been positioning itself as a regional hub for vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing, with plans to achieve 60 per cent local production by 2040.
The most important of all the projects helping to achieve this vision include the Kenya BioVax Institute, which is a 72 million-doses vaccine fill and finish plant project and the partnership with China to increase vaccine and drug manufacturing capabilities.
Moreover, Kenya already hosts several companies manufacturing pharmaceuticals, including Beta Healthcare, Universal Corporation, Dawa Limited, and Biodeal Laboratories.
With KAIST and KEMRI now transitioning into degree-awarding institutions, the government expects the two institutions to play a bigger role in training scientists and commercialising local research.
