About Us

Established in 1989

Who is KEMRI Wellcome Trust?

The KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is based within the KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medical Research (Coast). Our core activities are funded by the Wellcome Trust. We conduct integrated epidemiological, social, laboratory, and clinical research in parallel, with results feeding into local and international health policy. Our research platforms include state-of-the-art laboratories, a demographic surveillance system covering a quarter of a million residents, a partnership with Kilifi County Hospital in health care and hospital surveillance, a clinical trials facility, a vibrant engagement programme, and a dedicated training facility.

The KWTRP leadership includes the Ag. Executive Director Edwine Barasa, the KEMRI Ag. Centre Director Dr. Sophie M. Uyoga , Deputy Director George Warimwe and the Chief Operating Officer Catherine Kenyatta.

 To undertake cutting-edge and novel research relevant to national, regional and global needs.

 

To conduct high quality, purposeful, and relevant research in human health, building sustainable research capacity and leadership.

  • To conduct research to the highest international scientific and ethical standards on the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the region in order to provide the evidence base to improve health.
  • To train an internationally competitive cadre of Kenyan and African research leaders to ensure the long term development of health research in Africa.
2024 Annual Report

Our History

The KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) is a partnership between the Kenya  Medical Research Institute(KEMRI), Wellcome, and the University of Oxford. The centre in Kilifi is called the Centre for Geographic Medicine Research, Coast (CGMR-C) and also known us the KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme was established in 1989 and has evolved from conducting research in the immunology and epidemiology of malaria in the 1990s to a world-class research Programme conducting multi-disciplinary research that spans molecular biology to health systems and policy research. Based within the KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medical Research (Coast), our core activities are funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Our Policies

Partnerships and Collaborators

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Hubs

The Programme has two main bases in Kenya but works in many other parts of the country and is increasingly involved in regional collaborations to support research in neighbouring countries.

The main centre in Kilifi County, an hour’s drive from Kenya’s second largest city, Mombasa, is based in a busy district hospital, serving over half a million people and linking basic studies to clinical applications with local relevance. We also work in Malindi, Mombasa, Mtwapa and Bondo.

In Nairobi, our unit was based at the capital’s Kenyatta Hospital, and just recently relocated to 197 Lenana Place, along Lenana Road.  This unit has strong links with the Ministry of Health, facilitating the translation of research findings into health policy. Work is carried out in collaboration with other centres of KEMRI and Ministries of Health and education in many other districts.

The Ugandan unit is based in Mbale town within the Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and was founded in 2008 in response to the need for evidenced based clinical guidelines.