The National Assembly has allocated KSh100 million towards the construction of a modern laboratory facility as the government moves to strengthen Kenya’s laboratory capacity and improve the country’s preparedness to respond to public health needs.
The development follows concerns over infrastructure, staffing, equipment and administrative support affecting the laboratory, which has been operating from temporary space provided by the University of Nairobi.
The challenges were brought into sharper focus during a visit by the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health, which gave legislators an opportunity to assess the institution’s operations and establish the gaps affecting its ability to deliver its mandate effectively.
Among the challenges identified are inadequate staffing and shortages of essential laboratory equipment. The institution has also been facing gaps in key support functions, including procurement, accounting and internal audit, which are critical to the smooth and accountable operation of a public health facility.
The KSh100 million allocation is expected to provide a foundation for the construction of a modern laboratory facility capable of supporting the country’s growing public health needs. However, the Ministry of Health says the intervention is not limited to putting up a new building.
The broader objective is to establish a fully functional laboratory supported by adequate human resources, modern equipment and efficient operational systems. Additional support is therefore being sought to recruit and strengthen staffing and provide the specialized equipment required to enhance laboratory services.
The planned investment is also expected to contribute to Kenya’s wider public health security by strengthening the country’s capacity to undertake laboratory testing, surveillance and other critical functions.
According to the Ministry of Health, the long-term ambition is to develop a laboratory that can effectively serve Kenya while eventually contributing to meeting laboratory needs across the wider region.
The development comes at a time when Kenya is seeking to strengthen its public health systems, including laboratory and surveillance capacity. The Kenya National Public Health Institute has previously highlighted the importance of mapping and strengthening laboratory and surveillance capabilities as part of efforts to improve national health security.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has also continued to assess health institutions and advocate for increased investment in infrastructure, research and innovation.
In July 2026, the committee visited the Kenya Medical Research Institute to examine its contribution to health research and the challenges facing the institution.
The Ministry maintains that the proposed laboratory investment should therefore be viewed as part of a broader effort to build sustainable health infrastructure, strengthen the health workforce and ensure that Kenya has the systems and technical capacity required to respond to current and emerging public health challenges.
