Under the partnership, Wellcome and the University of Oxford will support research activities with a funding commitment of up to £91 million over the next seven years. KEMRI’s Acting Director General and CEO, Professor Elijah Songok, signed the MoU alongside Dr John-Arne Røttingen, Chief Executive Officer of Wellcome, and Professor Gavin Screaton, Head of the Medical Sciences Division at the University of Oxford.
Prof Songok highlighted the strategic importance of the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme, emphasising its contribution of over 30 percent of KEMRI’s research output. He said: ‘The Programme remains one of KEMRI’s flagship research and training initiatives, continuously making impactful contributions to health research and capacity building.’
Dr Røttingen underscored Wellcome’s focus on supporting science to address the most urgent global health challenges facing everyone, including mental health, climate change, and infectious diseases. He said: ‘We are proud of what our collaboration has achieved over the years and are excited to continue contributing towards better health outcomes in the years to come.’
Prof Screaton reiterated the University of Oxford’s commitment to fostering equitable research collaborations worldwide, particularly with researchers across Africa. He said: ‘We are dedicated to advancing learning and research that positively impacts millions of lives globally.’
The agreement builds upon a previous Memorandum of Agreement signed on 27th, November 2024, which renewed formal collaborations following the expiration of earlier agreements. This also coincided with Wellcome’s commemoration of 60 years of presence and collaboration in Kenya.
KEMRI’s 36-year partnership with Wellcome and the University of Oxford has yielded groundbreaking research in malaria, pneumonia, meningitis, HIV, malnutrition, and COVID-19, amoung others. This continued collaboration has also facilitated the development and testing of critical vaccines, including two malaria vaccines and the Rift Valley Fever vaccine under the One Health approach.
The partnership has significantly contributed to generating evidence for advancing Universal Health Coverage in Kenya and the region, further cementing KEMRI’s position as a leader in health research and innovation.
Prof Songok said: ‘As we embark on this renewed journey with Wellcome and the University of Oxford, we are reaffirming our commitment to cutting-edge research and innovative solutions that address some of the most pressing health challenges of our time. This partnership is not just an investment in research; it’s an investment in healthier, more resilient communities across Kenya and beyond.’