Japan’s partnership with Kenya extends beyond development aid, encompassing strong support for biomedical and scientific research, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Matsuura Hiroshi has said.
Speaking in an interview with Radio Generation on Friday, Hiroshi noted that collaborations with Kenyan institutions have strengthened intellectual capacity, produced highly skilled researchers, and created opportunities for global knowledge exchange.
“Kenya is a very good example of Japan’s systems cooperation to Kenya’s intellectual capacity building,” Hiroshi said on Friday, citing partnerships with the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute.
He explained that many scholars and researchers have pursued master’s and PhD studies in Japan before returning to lead Kenyan institutions, producing well-trained graduates and contributing to national development.
Ambassador Hiroshi highlighted that these collaborations benefit Japan as well.
“By doing the collaboration with those Kenyan institutes, we learn from the African… for example, in the case of Kenya, African infectious diseases… and African plants and forestry, which will enrich our knowledge and our capacity to address global issues,” he said.
He added that working with Kenyan researchers fosters open-mindedness and intercultural communication, stimulating Japanese researchers to explore new opportunities.
“The open-mindedness of the Kenyans and also the capability and the skills of communication interculturally is very good. It is a very good stimulus for the researchers of Japan,” Hiroshi said.
Through these partnerships, Japan and Kenya have built a platform for intellectual exchange that strengthens both countries’ research capabilities while contributing to global scientific solutions, particularly in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
In August, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale lead a high-powered Kenyan delegation, engaging in crucial discussions with Japanese officials to explore further support for Kenya’s health sector.
The series of meetings on the sidelines of TICAD9 were aimed at enhancing the long-standing partnership between Kenya and Japan, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has been instrumental in strengthening Kenya's healthcare system for decades.
JICA's extensive support encompasses technical cooperation, grant aid, and loans, focusing on critical areas such as infectious disease control, human resource development, and the promotion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Over the years, JICA has established a robust partnership with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), providing nearly 40 years of support aimed at enhancing research, training, and capacity building.
Among the key initiatives backed by JICA is the emphasis on infectious disease control.
The agency has played a vital role in vaccine development, routine immunisation programs, and bolstering surveillance and laboratory capacities to combat various health challenges.
Recently, during the COVID-19 pandemic, JICA donated PCR test kits and provided additional support to enhance Kenya's testing and response capabilities, significantly aiding the country's pandemic response efforts.
