Kenya & Japan launch new Centre for Malaria Elimination at MKU Thika

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).

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 Sh. 450 million, with Sh. 300 million allocated for activities in Kenya and Sh. 150 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.