Virgin soils of Kericho provide answers for failing antibiotics

Useful bacteria in soils are not entirely new in the pharmaceutical world. They occur widely, especially in undisturbed soils, and have been the source of most of the current antibiotics in use and even cancer medicines.PHOTO:COURTESY

Kenyan scientists have found a medicinal substance that could play an important role in combating drug-resistant germs.

The researchers from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) have found the substance in the virgin soils of Kipkelion East and West, Belgut, Ainamoi, Sigowet, and Bureti sub-counties in Kericho County.