Examining and Improving Evidence Support Systems at KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP)

Examining and improving evidence support systems at the national level in Kenya

• Globally, there have been significant efforts to enhance the use of evidence to inform policymaking. For instance, the World Health Organization has supported the Evidence Informed Policy Network to connect researchers with health policymakers and to advance the use of evidence-based tools, such as systematic reviews and policy briefs. Similarly, the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research has advocated for greater incorporation of research evidence into health policymaking, particularly in low-income settings. However, most of these efforts have focused on increasing policymakers’ exposure to research products and developing tools to support individuals and groups in enhancing evidence use. There has been comparatively less focus on establishing or improving the entirety of national systems of evidence provision that serve national decision-making from a holistic perspective. 
• In Kenya, there is a limited but growing body of research on the use of evidence to inform health sector decision-making. However, similar to global trends, this research has predominantly concentrated on evidence use within specific policy decisions rather than the entire evidence ecosystem within the Kenyan health sector. This studentship aims to address this gap by holistically examining the existing evidence support systems at the national level in Kenya, including identifying gaps and proposing strategies for improvement. In doing so, the project seeks to enhance the comprehensive and consistent integration of research findings into health policy and planning, ultimately fostering a more effective and responsive health system in Kenya.