It was a big win for Africa Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) after scooping three awards at the just concluded National Research Awards (NORA ) held in Nairobi.

Dr Christine Musyimi was awarded the National Outstanding Young Researcher award for her groundbreaking work in community mental health which has enhanced access to mental health care in Kenya’s underserved areas.

On the other hand, Professor Professor David Ndetei received the National Outstanding Research Award and Lifetime Research Award for his pioneering work in psychiatry and mental health which has improved mental health services and policies in Kenya.  

The awarding ceremony took place on the final day of the inaugural National Research Festival organized by the National Research Fund.

The event was graced by Fredrick Ndambuki, Secretary of Administration, Ministry of Education, Professor Dickson Andala, CEO of National Research Fund, Ratemo Michieka, Chairman of National Research Fund, and vice chancellors from different Universities.

At least 90 entries were submitted for consideration in five categories namely, Young Researcher, Tvet Researcher, Persons with Disability, Woman Researcher, Outstanding Researcher, and Lifetime Researcher.

This year’s awards also introduced the Lifetime Research Awards, recognizing researchers whose work has profoundly influenced the research landscape in Kenya.

Among the honorees were Professor David Ndetei for his contributions to psychiatry and mental health, Professor Ruth Nduati for her groundbreaking research in pediatric public health and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and Professor Paul Kamau Mbugua for his achievements in plant taxonomy, biosystematics, and biodiversity conservation.

There was a clarion call to explore multi-institutional collaboration to scale up research work and position Kenya as a trailblazer in research.