By Joyce Ojanji
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), a leading research institute in the African continent, has lost one of its founders and a distinguished scientist Prof. Davy Kiprotich Koech. He succumbed to a long illness.
Born in 1951, Prof. Koech’s remarkable journey with KEMRI began on 1st March 1973, when the Ministry of Health tasked him with assisting Prof. Mutuma Mugambi in establishing the Clinical Research Centre (CRC)—the precursor to what would become KEMRI. The CRC was established as KEMRI’s founding center, with Prof. Mugambi and Dr. Koech as key founding scientists.
Over the years, KEMRI grew under their stewardship, and by 5th November, when the Institute formally commenced operations, Dr. James Gikonyo was appointed as the first Director of KEMRI.
Dr. Koech, with his unparalleled leadership, eventually ascended to become the Director of the CRC and in 1989, he succeeded Prof. Mugambi as the Director of KEMRI, a position he held until 2007.
Throughout his career, Prof. Koech held numerous distinguished roles, including that of Chief Research Officer, Director, and Chief Executive of KEMRI, where he spearheaded groundbreaking health sciences research in Kenya.
Prof. Koech’s influence extends far beyond his role at KEMRI. He was part of the pioneering group of scientists who, in 1979, helped establish the Institute and developed a prolific career in health sciences research. His research, which investigated various immunological and tropical diseases, led to over 260 published papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations.
Perhaps his most notable achievement was his contribution to the development of a novel drug formulation using low-dose interferon alpha in 1990, for the clinical management of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis.
His pioneering work also facilitated the first living donor-related kidney transplant in Kenya in 1985, and he introduced DNA technology to enhance this field further.
In 2006, he was nominated for the Genius Laureate of the American Biographical Institute and was named one of the 500 Greatest Geniuses of the 21st Century.
In addition to his groundbreaking research, Prof. Koech served in critical roles, including as the Head of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases at the Ministry of Health (1981-1984), the Director of the Clinical Research Centre at KEMRI (1982-1984), and the Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre at KEMRI (1984-1989). His service extended to various international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Commission of European Communities, and the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.
Prof. Koech will be remembered as an exceptional academic mentor, having supervised and examined numerous postgraduate students both locally and internationally. His contributions to science, education, and public health will resonate for generations, and his passing marks the end of an era for KEMRI and Kenya’s scientific community.
