By Kamau Njoroge
The National Phytotherapeutics Research Centre (PRC) for herbal and traditional medicine established at Kenyatta University has been hailed as a breakthrough in non-conventional treatment of diseases.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Shs69 million modern laboratory funded by the National Research Fund (NRF), former KU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Paul Wainaina said it is the only facility of its kind in country and will be used to train university students, staff and traditional herbalists to test the efficacy of their drugs for use in treating various ailments.
“The equipment in this lab is very advanced and can detect the elements in a herbal solution such as the amount of potassium, zinc or iron which our scientists can then analyze and research on the contents,” said the former VC.
The professor said the project would also go a long way towards ending the stigma among Kenyans who regard herbal treatment as witchcraft.
“The center will be open to members of the public and our herbal practitioners will be encouraged to bring their products for testing. It is a breakthrough in traditional medicine research,” stated Prof. Wainaina.
The Center Director Prof. Nicholas Gikonyo said the facility will focus more on original medicine from plants and aims at working with traditional medicine men to discover new drugs.
“We want to reassure Kenyans that what was lost a long time ago during the colonial times when our medicine was demonized that now we have a laboratory that can test their quality and its efficacy,” Prof. Gikonyo added.
The center will be receiving samples for analysis and also offering internships to students from various institutions.
