The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has pledged support for the development of a locally produced antivenom targeting snake species found in East Africa, with the product expected to be ready by the end of 2026.
The project is being undertaken jointly by the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE) and Nairobi Enterprises Limited (NEL) to improve the treatment of snakebite victims in Kenya and other countries in the region.
The committee, led by Seme MP Dr James Nyikal, made the commitment during a budget oversight visit to NEL on Monday, October 26, 2026. The delegation received a briefing from NEL Managing Director Rajan Dhanani and a KIPRE team led by Director General Dr Peter Mwethera.
During the engagement, Mwethera said the initiative was part of the institution’s efforts to advance biomedical research and develop scientific solutions to health challenges affecting the region.
“We are committed to conducting world-class biomedical research and fostering scientific innovation that improves the health and well-being of Kenyans and the region,” Dr Mwethera said.
He informed the lawmakers that the development team was targeting the end of the year to have the antivenom ready.
Mwethera explained that the project seeks to address limitations associated with antivenoms manufactured outside Africa, which may not always be effective against snake species found in East Africa.
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“The antivenom will be specific to the region. Right now, the antivenom we have is developed outside the continent, and sometimes it is not effective because the snakes found here are different. That is why we are working on our own product. We will no longer need people to come to hospital with dead snakes to get effective treatment,” he said.
The proposed product is expected to provide treatment better suited to the region’s snake species, reducing reliance on imported alternatives that may not adequately address local needs.
Committee members welcomed the research initiative, noting that the availability of suitable antivenoms remains an important public health concern. They also pledged to support KIPRE through budgetary allocations to facilitate scientific research and the development of locally relevant medical solutions.
Addressing the researchers, Nyikal said the committee was prepared to support efforts to make the treatment accessible and affordable to Kenyans.
“Kenyans are waiting for an effective and cost-effective antivenom. You can count on our support as a Committee as you come up with innovative scientific solutions to challenges facing the public,” Dr Nyikal said.
The initiative comes amid a significant snakebite burden in Kenya. According to figures attributed to the Ministry of Health, the country records more than 19,000 snakebite cases annually, resulting in over 1,000 deaths.
