Kenya Institute of Primate Research

Dr. Stanislaus Kivai, Senior Research Scientist Kenya Institute of Primate Research, will give a public virtual talk on "Hope in the Canopies and Wilderness" Join in and be part of the conversation and conservation of Kenya's forgotten and critically endangered primates in the central and northern frontiers. #primateconservation

The Ministry of Health, led by Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga as Chief Guest, spearheaded a successful two-day medical services camp in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County, as part of the Attorney General’s homecoming. The event, held courtesy of the Attorney General, was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, the Solicitor General, the area MP and several MCAs. In collaboration with partners including Kenya Institute of Primate Research - KIPRE, Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), Pharmacy and Poisons Board(PPB), National Aids & STIs Control Program (NASCOP), Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital(JOOTRH), the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council and the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, the camp offered a broad range of free health services. These included malaria testing and treatment, HIV and TB screening, cervical cancer screening, blood pressure checks, reproductive and maternal health care, general consultations, and health education. In addition to healthcare, the outreach brought vital government services directly to the community. These included SHA Registration, Huduma Centre Services, National Employment Authority and DCI Services. The Office of the Attorney General also provided legal and civil services including civil litigation support, customary marriage registration among others. This multi-agency initiative reflects a whole-of-government approach to decentralizing essential services and ensuring equitable access to healthcare, legal aid and public resources at the grassroots level

LSTM's Nicholas Casewell and Becky Jones-Phillips have joined the BRITE Kenya Stakeholders Planning Meeting, taking place at the Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (K-SRIC), and hosted by the Ministry of Health and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The BRITE Kenya initiative connects the UK and Kenya’s innovation ecosystems to co-develop biologics, including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and antivenoms, for pressing health challenges like infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Find out more about BRITE: https://lstm.ac/BRITE.

𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒: African Snakebite Alliance ( #ASA ) Research Grants II Snakebite envenoming remains a neglected yet devastating public health issue in Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for up to one-third of global snakebite deaths annually. Yet, many cases remain undercounted and under-researched. With funding from the Wellcome Trust, the African Snakebite Alliance is launching its second round of research grants to close the evidence gap and drive policy and practice change across Africa. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫? ➡️ 2 Network Research Grants (£100,000 each, over 2 years) ➡️ 2 Postdoctoral Research Grants (£50,000 each, over 2 years) 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 & 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 Proposals must address human-snake interaction, prevention, awareness campaigns, health-seeking behavior, or community reintegration after a bite. We are seeking innovative, community-focused, and impactful proposals with clear outcome measures and potential for scaling and translation. Strong multidisciplinary collaboration and equity across teams is key! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dvJ4A5WC

KIPRE is elated to be hosting the IPMB 2025 Workshop, the last workshop in a series of three jointly organised by Kenya Institute of Primate Research - KIPRE and the Interuniversity Programme Molecular Biology (IPMB). Themed "Improving the capacity in biotechnology/ molecular biology of trainers to resolve challenges to the Kenyan Society", the participants will be trained on both theoretic and hands-on practical knowledge and skills on various aspects of molecular biology.

𝐍𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 The Nyalore Administration, through the department of health is poised to strengthen its approach to snakebite treatment within the county. This initiative follows an inception meeting between the Department of Health, Kenya Snakebite Research and Intervention Centre (K-SRIC), and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research, signaling a collaborative effort to address this neglected tropical disease. One of the key challenges in combating snakebite is the lack of comprehensive data, which obscures its true prevalence within the County. Many victims initially seek treatment from traditional healers, further complicating data collection efforts. This partnership seeks to rectify this issue, aiming to reduce the number of fatalities, which currently averages at least one per year in Siaya County. A significant aspect of the collaboration will focus on fostering research to facilitate local antivenom production within the Country. This endeavor promises to lower treatment costs for patients and improve accessibility to life-saving interventions. Furthermore, the partnership will prioritize capacity building among community health promoters and healthcare workers. Sensitization programs will also be conducted for the County Health Management Team, addressing the growing concerns surrounding snakebite incidents. A representative emphasized the timeliness of this partnership and advocated for increased antivenom supplies, particularly for high-risk sub-counties such as Alego Usonga, Bondo, and Rarieda. These areas have reported a disproportionately high number of snakebite cases and associated fatalities. Nationally, Kenya recorded 15,411 cases between 2020 and June 2024, resulting in 791 deaths, 848 permanent physical disabilities, and 317 cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. This collaboration aims to reverse the trend of snakebite incidents within Siaya County, contributing to national efforts in mitigating the impact of this neglected tropical disease.

Kenya Institute of Primate Research is proud to announce the official launch of its Strategic Plan for the period 2023-2027 during a colourful event graced by the Secretary Administration, Mr. Hassan Harakhe, MoH - representing the Cabinet Secretary of Health and the Principal Secretary of Public Health and Professional Standards. KIPRE’s new strategic plan focuses on supporting its vision to become a centre of excellence in innovative research and conservation for enhanced human health through promoting health research and innovation, strengthening global health resilience through pandemic preparedness, climate change response, AMR stewardship, snakebite research & intervention and biodiversity conservation. It also aims to enhance institutional capacity through training, infrastructure, governance and partnerships, while ensuring sustainable funding. This forward-looking blueprint is aligned with key development policy frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), East Africa Community Vision 2050, Kenya Vision 2030, the Fourth Medium-Term Plan (MTP IV), and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Thank you to all our partners and stakeholders who shared their voices and insights. #StrategicPlanning2025 #BETA #SDGs #research #innovation

The Board of Directors Committee Chairman Prof. Johnson Kangethe together with Finance and Staff Establishment Chairman Prof. Isaac Jumba and KIPRE Director General Dr. Gichuhi Mwethera, joined KIPRE Heads of Science Directorates & Departments and senior staff from JKUAT- College of Health Sciences-SOBMS in a consultative and collaborative meeting on 3rd-5th June, 2025.

16 May 2025 KIPRE in collaboration with WWF and Fallohide Africa launched ARGO, Africa’s first public environmental Augmented Reality (AR) game based on The Oloolua Nature Trail. ARGO is an innovative conservation-themed AR game designed to inspire, educate and engage audiences of all ages on the importance of protecting Oloolua forest and biodiversity at large. Participants had a chance to interact and experience ARGO during the launch.