The Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) will soon have access to the UK’s unique platform to analyse the Covid-19 virus.

Through the UK’s New Variant Assessment Platform Programme, the research institute will have access to the UK’s reagents and equipment to increase in-country sequencing, technical advice and training.

It will go a long way in identifying different mutations of the virus circulating in the community.

UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott says the partnership will strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

‘We will share our expertise to work together in identifying, tracking and responding to new variants with Kenya, saving lives here and around the world," Ms Marriot said in a statement.

Kenya's Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said he was delighted.

"The contribution and support from the UK on genomic sequencing will assist in the response to the current pandemic and will help us fight future pandemics together," he said.

The two countries have a health partnership that was signed in January by UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and Mr Kagwe.