By Duncan Mboyah
Kenya has been endorsed to host a Centre of Excellence for advanced research and training in molecular biology and biotechnology in Anglophone and Francophone countries in Africa.
Prof. Josiah Omolo, team leader and institutional principal investigator of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB RRC) project, said that the Centre is expected to advance knowledge by applying the latest techniques in the science fields.
“We will start by training post-doctoral students in molecular biology and biotechnology to help solve African problems in the area of crop improvement to help improve food security on the continent,” Prof. Omolo said during the Kenya National Research Festival 2025 at Egerton University in Nakuru County.
He added that animal health students will then be admitted to lead in vaccine development and microbial technology to save livestock in the continent from disease infections.
The construction of the Centre is ongoing at Egerton University, in Nakuru, southwestern Kenya, where it will be hosted. The University emerged the winner in a competitive process where several institutions also placed their bid.
He said that the International Centre for Genetic Engineering (ICGEB), an intergovernmental organization, is dedicated to advanced research and knowledge, applying the latest techniques in the fields of biomedicine, crop improvement, environmental protection and remediation, biopharmaceuticals, biopesticides and biofuel production.
He noted that the organization plays a key role in biotechnology by promoting research excellence, training, and technology transfer to industry, contributing to sustainable global development.
ICGEB has 65 Member States and several regional Centres across the globe with state-of-the-art laboratories in Italy, India and South Africa.
The operations of ICGEB combine scientific research with capacity enhancement, thereby promoting sustainable global development and are aligned with those of the United Nations Common System.
The Centre will focus on training in technology transfer in the field of life sciences and biotechnology. It will host research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students and research technicians from across the continent.
