Latest News & Announcements

On May 30, 2025, KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR) was honored to host the Principal Investigators (PIs) of the DFG-funded research consortium for a high-level retreat at the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Health Sciences. The retreat brought together leading scientists from Kenya, Germany, South Africa, Cameroon and Zimbabwe to review project milestones, share scientific progress, and jointly plan the upcoming renewal application.

The Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology at the University of Nairobi proudly congratulates Dr. James Mburu Kang’ethe on being awarded the distinction of being one of the best PhD Students in the Faculty of Health Sciences for the 2023/2024 academic year.

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nairobi was honoured to receive Prof. Pier Paolo Piccaluga for a courtesy call on the 5th of May 2025. Prof. Piccaluga met with the Chair of the Department, Dr. Marianne Mureithi, and Dr. Noel Onyango, a Department Lecturer and the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Research Lead at the KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research.

Professor Walter Jaoko, a distinguished academic and physician, has been appointed by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health as the Chair of the Benefits Package and Tariffs Advisory Panel under the Social Health Insurance Regulations, 2024. This appointment comes at a pivotal time as Kenya undertakes significant healthcare reforms aimed at expanding access and improving the quality of care for all citizens.

Background and Expertise

Dr. Marianne Mureithi, Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nairobi (UoN), recently hosted a delegation from the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) at KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR).

Today, on International HPV Awareness Day, we take a moment to reflect on the impact of HPV and reaffirm our commitment to advancing research, awareness, and prevention. At KAVI-ICR and KEMRI, we are actively engaged in critical research aimed at understanding HPV persistence, clearance, and the immune responses that shape disease outcomes.

On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we honor the women who are breaking barriers and shaping the future of STEM. One such trailblazer is Dr. Marianne Mureithi, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi and Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology. More than a scientist, she is a mentor and advocate, dedicated to fostering the next generation of female scientists in Africa.

We are thrilled to announce that Maryann Buyu and Hadidjatou Mylene have been competitively selected for the esteemed 1-Year MSc Internship at the Department of Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases at the University of Manitoba.

A groundbreaking publication titled "Toward Advances in Retinoblastoma Genetics in Kenya" has emerged from a collaborative effort with researchers from the University of Toronto and multiple departments at the University of Nairobi including the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology. The publication is part of a wider project studying retinoblastoma and genomics in the country lead by Principle Investigator Dr.

Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology’s Dr. Daniel Muema has been nominated as part of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Early Career Committee (ECC) inaugural board, which will spearhead the activities of the IUIS Junior Community (JC). He received this honour alongside CEMA (Center of Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis) Post-Doc, Dr. Victor Riitho.