The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) received a rare presidential recognition when President Mwai Kibaki visited its stand at the Mombasa International Agricultural Show on Thursday, 1st September, 2011.The president’s visit came only a day after KEMRI scooped two awards; First Prize for the Best Stand in Research & Development Projects and first prize for the Best Mosquito & Malaria Control at the Coast Region.

During the visit, Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon Beth Mugo, informed the president of the KEMRI/CDC‘s involvement in the control of the H1N1 pandemic. In addition, the President was very pleased by KEMRI/CDC’s approach in the treatment of tuberculosis through use of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT).

The President who was accompanied by Agriculture Minister, Hon. Sally Kosgey; Permanent Secretary Dr. Romano Kiome; and his Livestock Development counterpart, Mr. Kenneth Lusaka, was received at the KEMRI stand by Public Health and Sanitation Minister, Hon. Beth Mugo, KEMRI Board of Management Chairman; Dr. Edwin Mwinga Chokwe and the KEMRI Director, Dr. Solomon Mpoke. Dr. Mpoke briefed the President on the Institute’s exhibits at the show.

Others on the Presidential entourage included: Minister for Gender Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Naomi Shaaban; Internal Security Assistant Minister Hon. Orwa Ojode; National Chairman of the ASK Show, Mrs. Alice Kalya; and senior government officials.The KEMRI team included Ms Linah Boit, Deputy Director (Finance and Administration);  head of the KEMRI Centre for Geographic Medicine (CGMRC)  Dr. Omar Sabah; Prof. Kevin Marsh, the  KEMRI Wellcome Trust Scientific Team leader; Ms Ann Wang’ombe Head, Human Resource ; Dr. Charles Mwandawiro, Assistant Director (Partnerships and collaborations); and Ms. Agatha Osidiana, Head of Corporate Affairs, among others. KEMRI/CDC was represented by the Communications Officer, Mr. Winston Mbanda.

This is the first time KEMRI is participating at the Mombasa International Show with a resounding success and a bountiful harvest.
The KEMRI Director acknowledges the contributions from the KEMRI Board of Management, KEMRI Wellcome Trust, the KEMRI/CDC Research and Public Health Collaboration, and all the staff for making the event successful and memorable to the Institute.
The Director further emphasized that participation in this and similar activities offer KEMRI an opportunity to directly interact with members of the public as a forum of disseminating research output.