The government of Japan, in collaboration with Kenya’s ministries of education
and health, have inaugurated a state-of-art malaria research laboratory at Mount
Kenya University (MKU)’s main campus in Thika town.
The Centre for Malaria Elimination at MKU is part of the Project for
Interdisciplinary Research for Integrated Community-Directed Strategy for
Sustainable Freedom from Malaria being implemented at MKU in collaboration
with Osaka City University and other universities of Japan, the Homa Bay County
government, the Kenya national government’s ministries of health and education
as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Photo: Inside the malaria laboratory at MKU. Photo: James Wakahiu
Partners in the project say it aims to evaluate an integrated community-directed
strategy for malaria elimination in western Kenya and has achieved significant
milestones in the fight against the disease. The new lab at MKU is being funded by
the government of Japan, Japan’s ambassador to Kenya said in Thika on Friday.
The overall project has made substantial investments in the fight against malaria.
The total project cost is approximately Sh450 million, with Sh300 million
allocated for activities in Kenya and Sh150 million for activities in Japan.
Already, a cutting-edge molecular and immunology laboratory has been
established at MKU’s Thika campus. The state-of-the-art facility enables advanced
research and diagnostics for malaria. Researchers and students from MKU and
collaborating Japanese universities, such as Osaka City University, have also
benefited from exchange training programmes, enhancing their skills and
knowledge in malaria research.
Launching the facility at MKU’s main campus in Thika town, the envoy said he
had visited the project site in Homa Bay County and regretted the fact that malaria
has been so devastating a disease in Africa. “I have been briefed about the
challenges facing the people of that region from the malaria disease,” he said.
Added Mr Okiniwa; “It is disheartening to know that there continues to be so
many people suffering from malaria. It is a complete waste of human resources and
human lives”.
The ambassador said malaria has been a persistent threat to residents of Nyanza
region and many regions of Kenya. “It involves the spread of mosquitoes and the
status of housing in these regions and we must know how to tackle the menace,” he
said.
MKU vice-chancellor Prof Deogratius Jaganyi said the inauguration of the Centre
was a testimony of the university’s unwavering commitment to combating one of
the world’s most persistent and devastating tropical diseases. He noted that Malaria
remains a formidable global health challenge, disproportionately affecting the most
vulnerable members of the society, particularly children and pregnant women.
“It ravages communities, undermines economic development and perpetuates a
cycle of poverty that we must break. The burden of this disease is not only a health
concern but also a social injustice that demands our joint attention and action for
eradication,” he said
The VC said MKU has always been at the forefront of addressing societal needs
and uplifting communities. “Today, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing
scientific knowledge, fostering innovation and working hand in hand with local
communities and global partners to achieve a malaria-free future,” he added.
MKU has postdoctoral candidates and graduate students dedicated to unraveling
the complexities of malaria immunity in children and pregnant women. “Their
work will not only deepen our understanding of the immune response to malaria
but also pave way for targeted interventions that can protect the most vulnerable
populations,” he said.
The researchers are also investigating antimalarial drug resistance, a growing
driven diagnostic tools, will provide accurate and rapid diagnosis, enabling timely
treatment and preventing the spread of the disease.
The VC called upon Kenyans and donors of good will to support the center for
sustainability, whether through advocacy, volunteering, or philanthropic
contributions so that one day, nobody will ever suffer from malaria, as it will be a
county and national governments; with governments of different countries in
Africa and beyond, more collaborations with non-governmental organizations,
academic institutions and industry leaders,” he said.
MKU Pro-Chancellor, Dr Vincent Gaitho said health is a panacea for development
community, driven by a shared purpose—to alleviate the burden of disease,
eradicate malaria and revolutionize healthcare in our region. Thus, hats-off to the
winning team of researchers that brought forth this victory to MKU and Kenya and
the region,” he said.
Thanking partners, sponsors and supporters of the project, Dr Gaitho said; “Your
investment in the future of healthcare will yield immeasurable dividends, not only
in terms of scientific advancement but also in the lives we touch and the
communities we uplift today and in the future. A university that does not connect
with the community remains an ivory tower disconnected from its own vision and
mission”.
The Pro-Chancellor said the laboratory will be a springboard to innovations and
patents. “We are laying down the foundation for a future where preventable
diseases will be targeted and where access to quality healthcare shall be
guaranteed, and where scientific breakthroughs shall shape the destiny of our
society. It will be an incubation for innovative Centre for cutting-edge research
while also being a catalyst for collaboration, patents, interdisciplinary learning, and
commercialization of human health-related services and products,” he said
“This Centre shall always serve as MKU’s lasting commitment to academic
excellence, groundbreaking research, and profound societal change for the greater
common good,” said Dr Gaitho.
In addition to laboratory development, the project has allocated resources for
capacity building and training initiatives. Exchange programs for researchers and
students between MKU and collaborating Japanese universities, including Osaka
City University has been financially supported. These programmes aim to
enhance the skills and knowledge of individuals involved in malaria research and
foster international collaborations.
To strengthen field research capacity, the project has procured field vehicles and
mobile research equipment, which has facilitated data collection and surveillance
activities in malaria-endemic areas. It also generates intellectual outputs,
including publications and innovations. These contributions have elevated MKU’s
profile as a Science and Technology university and have enhanced its webometrics
and research rankings.
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