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By Melisa Mong’ina
Nairobi, Kenya: Laboratory professionals in Kenya are pushing for greater visibility and recognition following the launch of the Non-Medical Laboratory Professionals Association of Kenya (NMLPAK), a new body aiming to amplify their role in safeguarding public health.
The association brings together experts in food quality and safety, animal and plant health, mining, and standards, as well as research and teaching laboratories, with the goal of strengthening their collective voice and visibility.
Speaking during the launch, Rose Matua Alumira, a retired Director of Laboratory Services and now a Consultant in Laboratory Management, noted that the absence of a unified professional body has long limited the professional’s visibility and participation in decision-making.
“In this country, without papers, you don’t have a voice. Laboratory professionals used to train only up to diploma level, so they had little to say at decision-making tables because they were considered too junior. But now, this forum is going to help them realize how important their roles are in Kenya’s economy,” Alumira said.
She emphasized that laboratory testing plays a critical role in ensuring that imported goods meet required standards, protecting the country from becoming a dumping ground for substandard products.
Alumira encouraged professionals to look beyond traditional employment, noting that non-medical laboratories remain limited in Kenya, presenting opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation.
“People need to think outside the box. Don’t just think of employment. Let’s not keep complaining that the government has no jobs. Let’s think of us being employers. This area is largely unexploited,” she added.
She underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving long-term success. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”
Beatrice Kwamboka, Vice Chair of the association, stated that every product, ranging from food and raw materials to pharmaceuticals must undergo laboratory testing before being declared safe for use and sale. Despite this critical role, she stressed that the professionals behind such processes often remain overlooked.
“We are here because we want to be a voice for many laboratory professionals whose work is not recognized. This association was formed to bring visibility to those unseen professionals from different fields,” she said.
Kwamboka added that the association seeks to address a longstanding gap in recognition, where laboratory professionals have traditionally been viewed merely as support staff rather than as skilled technical experts.
“The majority of these professionals, particularly those working in schools, lack recognition as trained personnel,” she said. “They are treated as support staff and their roles are not clearly defined. Our duty as the association is to help ensure their responsibilities are properly recognized and aligned with their training.”
The newly launched association aims to address these challenges by advocating for clearer role definitions, professional recognition and better utilisation of skilled laboratory personnel. Its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) is expected to serve as a platform for growth, collaboration, and increased visibility for the association.
