Researchers sue Kemri over racism

[Guest guest]

Researchers sue Kemri over racism

Tuesday, 06 December 2011 00:07 BY JILLO KADIDA

Six local scientists have taken Kenya Medical Research Institute to court citing

racial discrimination. The six are complaining that the institute subjected them

to inequality on the basis of their race on several occasions.

For example, they said, they have not been given equal opportunity with their

White counterparts in awarding international jobs, in awarding grants and when

it comes to pay. " The White expatriate are more likely to be supported to apply

for grants from Wellcome Trust while there is no clear policy to do this for

equally or more qualified local black scientists, " said the six in their suit

papers filed under certificate of urgency.

The Wellcome Trust is an international body which funds the University of Oxford

to run the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme where the six have been

working. The six Dr Samson Gwer, Micheal Mwaniki, Nahashon Thuo, Wagai,

Moses Ndiritu and Albert Komba say KEMRI has disapproved their innovations or

work to apply for grants.

And in some instances, they said, KEMRI misappropriated the work of local

scientists to benefit expatriate scientists. They want the court to hold that

the treatment they have been subjected to by KEMRI amounts to discrimination.

Also sought is an order that they be compensated for the violations of their

rights and be given access to all information. Their case was certified as

urgent and will come up for mention on December 20.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/52596-researchers-sue-kemri-over-rac\

ism

[Guest guest]

Researchers sue Kemri over racism

Tuesday, 06 December 2011 00:07 BY JILLO KADIDA

Six local scientists have taken Kenya Medical Research Institute to court citing

racial discrimination. The six are complaining that the institute subjected them

to inequality on the basis of their race on several occasions.

For example, they said, they have not been given equal opportunity with their

White counterparts in awarding international jobs, in awarding grants and when

it comes to pay. " The White expatriate are more likely to be supported to apply

for grants from Wellcome Trust while there is no clear policy to do this for

equally or more qualified local black scientists, " said the six in their suit

papers filed under certificate of urgency.

The Wellcome Trust is an international body which funds the University of Oxford

to run the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme where the six have been

working. The six Dr Samson Gwer, Micheal Mwaniki, Nahashon Thuo, Wagai,

Moses Ndiritu and Albert Komba say KEMRI has disapproved their innovations or

work to apply for grants.

And in some instances, they said, KEMRI misappropriated the work of local

scientists to benefit expatriate scientists. They want the court to hold that

the treatment they have been subjected to by KEMRI amounts to discrimination.

Also sought is an order that they be compensated for the violations of their

rights and be given access to all information. Their case was certified as

urgent and will come up for mention on December 20.

http://www.the-star.co.ke/national/national/52596-researchers-sue-kemri-over-rac\

ism