Is the future of Kenya’s health research in jeopardy?

Kenya is at the most exciting point in its health and scientific research history, save for the massive looting at the ministry. The country is faced with increasing emerging non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes on top of the traditional infectious diseases. The population is also rapidly increasing with higher literacy levels. There are also strides in the health sector, which have significantly reduced the maternal and child mortality rates. However, the strides have not matched the demands and the country is far from meeting international and national targets. Achievement of these objectives lies in the involvement of the youth in its implementation.

One of the challenges facing the young scientists is the lack of mentorship and opportunities. The current annual influx of graduates coupled with the slow development of the job sector has seen increased levels of unemployment. The quality of education has also been sighted as a challenge as universities give undergraduates unrealistic hopes of becoming managers and other big positions upon graduation instead of training them as skill-based scientists. They offer a managerial-oriented curriculums instead of skill-based training. The post-graduate degree holders are no better as there is an increase of intellectual thievery where they buy “their” research projects from freelancing sites and go back to the market with a more decorated piece of paper.

The young researchers should be given a platform to create research questions that are customized to our national needs, to contribute to national health research systems and address public health challenges. Organizations such as the Consortium for National Health Research (CNHR), the Welcome Trust and other NGOs are striving to create this platform but their contribution is limited as there is general indifference from the government, whose ministries are filled with corruption. How does the government want to develop its youth when nearly all its job postings require more than three years’ experience? Where will the graduates get a platform for this experience?