Kemri sports research centre to focus on athletes

The government has inaugurated a Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) Centre in Eldoret to focus on sports health research.

Centre is designed to prioritise comprehensive analysis of biological passports, factors associated with anti-doping testing, nutrition and sports injuries.

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha said the centre will also serve as the Rift Valley regional station for research activities for the Institute.

“Kemri Eldoret is poised to evolve into a fully-fledged facility dedicated to comprehensively addressing the well-being of our athletes through a spectrum of holistic research studies including sports medicine and medical research components specifically targeting Nutrition Research, Social and Mental Health Research, Clinical Health aspects as well as the provision of laboratory services,” the CS said.

The facility is further designed to eliminate the need to send samples out of the country, making the process more efficient and timelier.

“As a ministry we are delighted that the research and care to be provided by the Centre will encompass a holistic approach to sports health and medical research components,” the CS added.

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Performance Management and Service Delivery at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Anne Wang’ombe pledged support for the Institute, noting that it had not only consistently met all its performance targets, but was also central in service delivery. Wang’ombe said the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s Office will support the development to ensure continued success.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii noted that centre, domiciled in Eldoret, the city of champions will address the doping crisis which is threatening to stain the country’s sports’ image. Kemri Director-General Prof Elijah Songok, reiterated the Institute’s dedication to ensuring the success of the Sports Science Research Centre.

Kemri Board of Directors Chair, Dr Abdullahi Ali said the facility will not only serve as a hub for athlete sample testing but also as a homegrown platform for other human health research needs.
“We aim to eliminate the need to send samples abroad, thus making the process more efficient and timelier,” he said.