KEMRI-Kilifi marks 20 years of blood donation, urges community to join lifesaving effort
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI)-Wellcome Trust Kilifi is set to celebrate 20 years of voluntary blood donation on Friday, June 14, 2025, with a commemorative blood drive and community event at Alaska Grounds in Malindi. The event coincides with World Blood Donor Day and highlights a renewed appeal for greater community involvement in regular […]
Don’t let your guard down, COVID is still around, warns researchers
The virus that brought the world to its knees and claimed over 5,600 lives in Kenya might now be milder, but it is still around. Speaking to Baraka FM during the Jukwaa La Utafiti show, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust—Kilifi researcher Dr. Kimani Makobu said Kenyans should not be worried but should remain cautious. “We have just managed […]
Hypertension on the rise in Kenya: Experts warn of growing threat, especially among youth
High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries is consistently too high. It is defined by a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. This medical condition is increasingly common in Kenya. A 2020 study revealed that nearly 3 in every 10 adults in Kenya have hypertension, […]
Shimba Hills residents decry decades-long neglect as poor roads persist amid heavy rains
As heavy rains continue to batter many parts of Kenya, including Shimba Hills Sub-County in Kwale, residents are once again facing immense challenges due to the poor state of roads in the area. Through social media posts and reactions, locals have voiced frustration, accusing politicians of using the long-promised tarmacking of the 70-kilometre Mwabungo-TM road […]
Do not ignore a fever if it persists for more than three days
Feeling feverish is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong. Most people commonly associate fever with high or low body temperature or malaria, but many other infections can also cause a fever. COVID-19, injuries that cause inflammation, dehydration, especially when one hasn’t had water for extended periods, and even vaccinations can trigger fever. […]
KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Study finds lower Yellow Fever vaccine dose effective
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust research institution has found that a lower dose of the yellow fever vaccine is just as effective as the standard dose. The study, conducted in Kenya and Uganda with 480 volunteers who had no previous history of the disease or vaccination, revealed that a 500 IU dose was not significantly less effective […]
KEMRI Wellcome Trust, CSRI edge closer to an oral treatment for snakebite
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust, in collaboration with the Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions (CSRI), has entered the second phase of clinical trials testing Unithiol—a chelating agent commonly used in the treatment of heavy metal poisoning (Mercury, Lead, and Arsenic)—for use in treating venomous snakebites. Unithiol was selected for snakebite research due to its ability to […]
How to raise awareness during World Autism Day
As the world observes World Autism Awareness Day, it’s essential for all of us to take responsibility in spreading awareness about autism. You can start by educating yourself about the condition and sharing your knowledge with friends, family, and colleagues. Taking action—such as volunteering with organizations that support autistic individuals—can help create more inclusive environments […]
Saving Newborns: Tackling Neonatal Sepsis in Kenya
Neonatal sepsis, or infection in babies under 28 days old, is commonly caused by bacteria and can lead to organ failure and death. Although these cases occur worldwide, the highest number of infections and deaths are reported in low- and middle-income countries. In these regions, including Kenya, 6.9 million cases of serious bacterial infections are […]
Octopizzo calls for collaborative effort to resolve Kwale’s water scarcity
Kenyan rapper Henry Ohanga, popularly known as Octopizzo, has urged both the national and county governments of Kwale, alongside community-based organizations, to find a lasting solution to the region’s water scarcity. Through his foundation, the Octopizzo Foundation, the artist visited Kwale Girls High School, where he held a meeting with the school to discuss potential […]