Health CS Susan Nakhumicha on Thursday officially opened the Kemri Eldoret Sports Science Research Centre.
The centre will be based at Daima Towers in Eldoret.
The facility, which is the 15th Kemri research centre in the country, will see local experts conduct groundbreaking research in human health.
The centre is designed to prioritise sports health research including comprehensive analysis of biological passports, factors associated with anti-doping testing, nutrition and sports injuries.
It will also serve as the Rift Valley regional station for research activities for the institute.
The centre holds the promise to evolve into a fully-fledged anti-doping laboratory subject to accreditation by the World Anti-doping Agency to safeguard the integrity of sports and athletes' careers.
Kenya is currently in Category A under World Athletics’ Anti-Doping Rules with approximately 55 Kenyan athletes serving varying bans, , according to a 2022 report by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). Another eight are undergoing provisional suspension.
This means that Kenyan athletes must undergo at least three no-notice tests.
“These concerning figures underscore the urgency for all stakeholders to collaborate in mitigating this crisis, and to continue to anchor given the pivotal role athletics plays in hoisting the flag and prestige of our country,” Nakhumicha said.
Should the centre receive the WADA approval, it will be a hub for athlete sample testing, eliminating the need to send samples out of the country. This will make the process more efficient and timely.
The government has acknowledged that despite the urgency of the doping crisis, there are several challenges the country is facing to stem the tide of doping among athletes.
This includes the absence of an accredited laboratory capable of supporting comprehensive testing in the country.
Currently, samples collected from Kenyan athletes are sent to Germany or South Africa for analysis.
Sometimes it requires that multiple samples are collected at different times from the athlete, thereby increasing costs and inconveniences.
This occurs despite the country having adequate technical capacity and facilities to carry out doping testing.
“The launch of the Kemri Eldoret centre marks the beginning of our efforts to address this significant gap,” she said.
“This will be another key milestone for the country as it will resolve the doping challenges threatening to stain our sports and taint the careers of athletics and other sports players in the country.”
The studies will include sports medicine and medical research components specifically targeting nutrition research, social and mental health research, clinical health aspects as well as the provision of laboratory services.