From Bench to Policy: An Analysis of Translational Medicine Research in Kenya,

Translational medicine seeks to connect biomedical research with clinical practice to inform health policy. In Africa, the process from scientific discovery to policy implementation encounters distinct obstacles. This study investigates the landscape and policy implications of translational medicine research in Kenya. The purpose was to analyse the characteristics, outputs, and policy impact of translational medicine research in Kenya. The objectives were to map the research landscape, assess the integration of findings into policy, and identify barriers to translation. A mixed-methods approach was used. A systematic document analysis of research outputs, policy documents, and grey literature was performed. This was supplemented by key informant interviews with researchers, policymakers, and healthcare stakeholders to gather contextual insights. The analysis identified growing translational research activity, particularly in infectious diseases and maternal health. However, only a small proportion of research projects showed a documented pathway to policy influence. A predominant theme from interviews was a persistent gap between pilot study completion and sustainable scale-up, attributed mainly to fragmented funding and weak institutional linkages. While the volume of translational medicine research in Kenya has increased, its direct impact on health policy remains constrained. Systemic barriers impede the effective translation of evidence into practice and policy, representing a missed opportunity for health improvement. To strengthen translation, we recommend establishing dedicated national funding streams for implementation science, creating formal researcher-policymaker exchange programmes, and developing a national framework for tracking research impact on policy. Translational medicine, health policy, research utilisation, Kenya, implementation science, knowledge translation This original research provides a comprehensive analysis of the translational medicine pipeline in Kenya, offering empirical evidence on its scale and policy impact. It contributes a framework for understanding systemic barriers to translation and proposes actionable recommendations for stakeholders.