Kenya has launched a state-of-the-art Polio Laboratory at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), significantly boosting diagnostics and surveillance capabilities for several countries in the region. The new facility aims to reduce reliance on external laboratories and strengthen health systems.

• The lab, launched by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on September 16, will primarily serve Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and Comoros for polio diagnostics.
• It will also enhance Kenya's genomic sequencing capabilities for other diseases like Mpox and measles, reducing the need to send samples to labs in countries such as South Africa.
• Supported by the Gates Foundation, eHealth Africa, and the World Health Organisation (WHO), this initiative aims to combat the historical lack of adequate medical laboratory infrastructure in Africa.
• The project aligns with Kenya's commitment to Universal Healthcare Coverage (UHC) and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) for Health.