Kenya has made great strides in research, more so in biological samples management as it now moves into conformity assessment bodies that will champion the setting up of biobanks, thus enhancing the quality of research, diagnostics and vaccine generation.
Through KENAS – the body in charge of accreditation services in the country, Kenya is expected to lead other African nations in setting up international standards for research and healthcare ecosystems that will provide a platform for results and research from Kenya to be recognised worldwide without re-testing.

KENAS is championing training for key research institutions in the country, including KEMRI, with support from the British Standards Institute, in a four-day workshop that aims at equipping these institutions with the necessary skills needed to upscale their laboratories into international standards, especially on the storage of biological material for future research.
KENAS CEO Dr. Juma Ong’eti notes that biobanking accreditation would place Kenya at the helm of Africa’s research and allow competitiveness with other nations that pioneer research across the globe.
According to KENAS manager for medical labs accreditation Doris Mueni Mengo, the checklist for accreditation, as supported by other international bodies would allow results from Kenya, even on emerging global diseases such as MPOX and the recurring Ebola, as well as medical advancements for diseases such as cancer, be accepted at the global stage without space for retesting, making such accreditation a valuable win for the country.
The biobanks will establish repositories for biological samples that power life-changing research in genomics, drug development, cancer treatment and public health interventions that aim to improve patient care and advance medical services.