Strengthening Research Ethics Review and Oversight in Kenya

The University of Nairobi and National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation NACOSTI hosted the Strengthening Research Ethics Review and Oversight in Kenya (STrek) Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Tuesday May 24- 26, 2022.

When delivering her keynote speech, Prof. Keymanthri Moodley, Stellenbosch University highlighted key points that should be taken into consideration when strengthening research ethics in Africa; decolonisation of bioethics scholarship, promotion of stakeholder engagement, taking African philosophical account in research, create leadership and bioethics networks in Africa.

“The consistent high ranking of the University of Nairobi (UoN) both locally and globally has been attributed to the contribution made by researchers at the institution.”

These were the sentiments by Associate Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Enterprise Prof. Margaret Hutchinson in a speech read on her behalf by Director Research, Prof. Munyoki during the regional research ethics conference.

The goal of the conference was, sharing experiences and lessons learnt with other Research Ethics Committees, to encourage best practices in research ethics oversight in the region and to enhance networking.

Prof. Hutchinson said good research must be conducted in an ethical manner and research ethics is the cornerstone of good research.

“Protect research participants, seek consent, respect the participants, any information obtained from them should be confidential, maximize benefits and minimize harm. Research should be beneficial and should be aligned to the country’s national priorities,” Prof.  Hutchinson noted as she outlined the basic tenets of ethics.

The National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) Director General NACOSTI Prof. Walter Oyawa was represented at the event by Boniface Wekesa, Director, Research, Accreditation and Quality Assurance, NACOSTI.

In his remarks, Prof. Oyawa said NACOSTI was proud to be associated with UoN and other stakeholders as it continues to play a critical role in ensuring quality research in Kenya.

“There is a deep and rapid technological change in the world and Kenya cannot afford to lag behind. I would like to call upon the stakeholders to be awake with these changes,” Prof. Oyawa said.

On his part, Kenyatta National Hospital CEO Dr. Evanson Kamuri said research is very important to institutions, country, and the world at large and should not be undermined.

“In the healthcare field, research provides very important information about disease strengths, risk factors, outcomes of treatment and gives a way forward in terms of public health interventions, management of health systems, and how care is delivered.

“KNH remains at the forefront of research and is proud to be associated with this regional conference. KNH has a long history in research regulation and houses the oldest Ethics and Research Committee in partnership with the University of Nairobi and has been accredited by NACOSTI and other international regulatory bodies,” Dr. Kamuri said in the speech delivered on his behalf by Dr. Irene Inwani.

According to Dr. Kamuri, KNH has maintained an enabling environment to conduct and regulate local and international research through the Research and programs department.

 Prof. Walter Jaoko, Director KAVI-ICR and Principal Investigator of ‘Strengthening Research Ethics Review and Oversight in Kenya (STReK) project stressed on the need to strengthen research ethics in Kenya, creating research network and sharing of experiences by researchers.