- Koech, a highly esteemed figure in immunology and molecular medicine, will be remembered for his pivotal role in founding KEMRI.
- President William Ruto granted him a pardon in 2023.
Former Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) boss and renowned immunologist Dr. Davy Koech has died.
Koech passed on Thursday at the age of 73 after a long illness, his family confirmed without providing more details.
Koech, a highly esteemed figure in immunology and molecular medicine, will be remembered for his pivotal role in founding KEMRI.
At just 28, Koech led fundraising efforts to establish the institution, which now plays a crucial role in human and health research in Kenya.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Zoology from the University of Nairobi in April 1974, he pursued a Master of Science in Pharmacology with a focus on Clinical Pharmacology at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania.
He later earned a PhD in Medical Pathology and Immunology from the University of Nairobi and conducted research at Harvard Medical School.
While working on his PhD, Koech and his colleagues, including Prof. Kihumbu Thairu and Prof. Mutuma Mugambi, were concerned about the lack of a research wing at the University of Nairobi’s Medical School.
They advocated for the creation of a leading research institution within the medical school, initially seeking an amendment to the Science and Technology Act of 1977 through Attorney General Charles Njonjo.
The major challenge was securing funding, which was ultimately resolved with support from the Japanese government.
Fast forward to 2021, Koech was found guilty by the court of corruptly transferring Sh19.3 million meant for the Kisumu Center for Disease Control to his personal bank account.
He was ordered to refund the money or face a six-year prison term.
And, since he could not raise the money, he went to jail.
However, in 2023 after coming to power, President William Ruto granted him a pardon.