Kenya to Host Africa’s First International Biotech Research Hub at Egerton University

Kenya is set to host Africa’s first International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Regional Research Centre (lCGEB RRC) at Egerton University’s main campus in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru.

The multi-million-dollar facility will feature research laboratories equipped for genetic engineering and biotechnology, with specialized spaces for molecular plant pathology, crop breeding, and genetic biofortification studies.

The center, which will be the second such facility in the world after China’s, aims to obtain Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) certification to ensure compliance with global biosafety protocols.

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The center’s establishment follows Kenya’s 2016 selection by the ICGEB Board to host Africa’s first regional research center and a subsequent 2020 decision confirming Kenya as the RRC host nation. Under the leadership of Principal Investigator
Professor Josiah Omolo, the facility will focus on combating crop diseases through molecular plant pathology research, developing disease-resistant crops, and enhancing food security through marker-assisted selection and genome-wide association studies.

The center aims to improve nutritional value of staple foods, strengthen agricultural value chains, and build regional capacity by training scientists and collaborating with universities to enhance expertise in genetic engineering and biotechnology.