Kenya has marked a major milestone in its public health agenda with the inauguration of an expanded Polio Laboratory at the Centre for Virus Research (CVR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
The facility was officially opened today by Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing the Taifa Care Model and complying with the International Health Regulations (IHR).
The modernized facility will serve as both the National and Inter-Country Reference Laboratory, supporting Kenya as well as Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Comoros with polio diagnostics and surveillance.
It is set to boost Kenya’s genomic sequencing capacity and reduce turnaround times for outbreak detection and response.
Developed with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, eHealth Africa, the Ministry of Health, and other development partners, the project aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) for Health by expanding equitable access to essential services, especially in underserved border regions.
While anchored in the fight to eradicate polio, the facility is already operating as a multi-pathogen genomic platform, sequencing Mpox, measles, rubella, and enteric viruses enhancing preparedness for future health threats.
Speaking at the ceremony, CS Duale reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to eliminating polio and building resilient health systems under Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He was joined by Acting KEMRI Director-General Dr. Elijah Songok, KEMRI Board Chair Dr. Abdullahi Ali, Health PS Dr. Ouma Oluga, DG for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, and outgoing WHO Country Director Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo.
By Michelle Ndaga
