Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) has conducted a week-long scientific training workshop equipping African scientists with hands-on skills in advanced chemical analysis.
The training, held from April 13 to 17, 2026, focused on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), two critical techniques in modern analytical science.
LC-MS and GC-MS are widely used in pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, food safety, and clinical diagnostics due to their high sensitivity and precision in detecting and identifying chemical compounds.
Sixteen participants drawn from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Rwanda are set to receive rigorous hands-on training in sample preparation, method development, instrument operation, and data interpretation.
Supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) through the Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN), the programme aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice through intensive laboratory-based learning. Similar PACN initiatives have been used across Africa to strengthen analytical science capacity and build a skilled workforce.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Principal of the College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS), Prof. George Thiong’o, commended the organizers and participants, noting that the training reflects JKUAT’s growing role as a regional hub for scientific capacity building.
He urged participants to fully utilize the opportunity, highlighting the expertise of the trainers and the value of hands-on experience in advancing scientific careers.
The Executive Secretary of the PACN Kenyan Hub and representative of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Prof. Solomon Derese, said, the workshop was designed to deliver practical, skills-based training in both LC-MS and GC-MS, equipping young scientists with competencies in advanced sample analysis.
Project Lead, Prof. Anthony Gachanja of JKUAT, expressed appreciation to the RSC and PACN for their continued support, noting that hundreds of delegates across the region have benefited from similar programmes.
He encouraged participants to engage actively, build networks, and reflect on their role in advancing science.
“You, as scientists, are the key to Africa’s future in the medical and agricultural sectors. Each of you should contribute in your own way, because without laboratory skills, there can be no economy,” he said.
The Dean of the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Prof. Antony Waititu, urged participants to transfer the knowledge gained to their institutions, noting that such trainings play a critical role in expanding scientific expertise across the continent.
Participants expressed optimism about the programme. Mr. Bantayehu Bekelele, a PhD student from Addis Ababa University, said he looks forward to gaining deeper insights into sample preparation and data interpretation.
Joyce Mungai, a master’s student from Sokoine University of Agriculture, encouraged peers to join the Royal Society of Chemistry, noting that such platforms provide access to specialized training and professional networks.
