Kenya’s HIV response has taken a bold step forward with the launch of the new Rachuonyo County Clinical Trial Centre in Homa Bay County a state-of-the-art facility built to fast-track HIV prevention research, especially among young women. The centre marks a major milestone for partnerships between local and international institutions dedicated to ending HIV in our lifetime.
Highlights:
- The Rachuonyo Centre is a collaboration between Rachuonyo Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and University of Washington, backed by Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC (MSD) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
- The centre will host part of the multi-country EXPrESSIVE‑10 trial (MK-8527-010), which is testing a once-monthly oral HIV prevention drug for women aged 16–30 across Kenya, Uganda and South Africa.
- In Kenya the trial is being implemented at three research sites under the umbrella of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI): PHRD Thika, RCTP Kisumu and Kargeno Research & Policy Hub.
- Homa Bay County officials described the new facility as a “beacon of hope” for communities and a signal that women are front and centre in the next wave of HIV prevention.
- The launch underscores Kenya’s strong role in HIV research and the readiness to adopt new prevention tools, even as national strategies shift into high gear. (PHDA)
Main Story:
A New Home for HIV Prevention Research
The Rachuonyo County Clinical Trial Centre in Homa Bay has officially opened, marking a major advancement in Kenya’s HIV prevention agenda. Led by the Rachuonyo Hospital in partnership with Kenyatta National Hospital’s research arm and the University of Washington, the project is supported by industry and philanthropic heavy-hitters MSD and the Gates Foundation.
Rolling Out the EXPrESSIVE-10 Trial
Among the first studies to be hosted in the new centre is the EXPrESSIVE-10 trial (MK-8527-010), focusing on a monthly oral drug for HIV prevention targeted at young women aged 16 to 30. Kenya is one of three countries in the study, alongside Uganda and South Africa. Within Kenya, three KEMRI-linked sites are involved. The leadership includes recognised local experts and researchers.
Why It Matters for Kenya
Homa Bay County has long carried a heavy HIV burden. The new centre not only brings cutting-edge research into the community but signals increased access to prevention technologies for women a demographic often under-served in past interventions. County health leadership stressed its importance for both local and national HIV response.
From Research to Real-World Impact
The new facility strengthens Kenya’s infrastructure for biomedical research, implementation science and translation of findings into policy and practice. With national frameworks such as the HIV Prevention Operational Plan already steering the broader agenda, this centre helps turn strategy into action. (Ministry of Health Kenya)
With this new centre now operational, Kenya has upped the ante but the real test will be how quickly the research translates into tools that change lives on the ground.
