Bioinformatics Hub of Kenya Initiative
We are a vibrant and inclusive community committed to advancing bioinformatics and open science in Kenya and the broader region
A Little About BHKi
Our Story, Unfiltered (Mostly - We Cleaned Up a Few Bits)
The Silicon Savannah’s Genomic Revolution
What started as a 2019 coffee break conversation at ICIPE has evolved into Kenya’s premier grassroots movement for the life sciences. At BHKi, we believe that the future of African research isn’t just in the lab—it’s in the code.
A Space to Grow: By Scientists, For Scientists
Bioinformatics can be a lonely frontier when you're staring at a screen of code. That’s why BHKi exists. Born from a simple desire to share knowledge, we’ve built a vibrant ecosystem where students, researchers, and pros sit at the same table.
From a Coffee Break to a Movement
We began as a small circle of friends and have grown into a nationwide grassroots community. Our mission remains as simple today as it was during that coffee break: to promote open science and ensure that every Kenyan researcher has the tools, the skills, and the community support to excel in the digital age of biology.
Code, Coffee, and Cells
Welcome to BHKi, where we’re trading wet labs for web labs and turning complex genomic data into excellence. We’re bio-hackers, data-crunchers, and DNA-explorers on a mission to make sure no scientist is left debugging alone.
Some of our partners:
Our Focus Areas
At BHKi, we’re all about empowering Kenyan scientists with the skills and tools they need to thrive in the world of bioinformatics. We focus on three key areas:
Bioinformatics Training
Open Science Advocacy
Community Building
Data Analysis Support
Resource Sharing
Collaborative Projects
Our Vision
To be a vibrant, well-coordinated and enthusiastic hub that will develop bioinformatics skills set through creating awareness, collaborations and capacity development.
Our Mission
Bridging the gap between well-established bioinformaticians and aspiring ones through peer training and mentorship so as to enhance collaborations to foster quality scientific research and innovations and promote the sharing of data, skills, and codes.
What We Do
Empowering Scientists with Bioinformatics Training, Open Science Advocacy, and Community Building
Hosting talks, workshops, and community events that promote transparency, data sharing, and reproducibility in research.
Open Science Outreach
Offering hands-on training, peer-to-peer learning, and introductory sessions on bioinformatics tools and topics.
Training & Capacity Building
Organizing webinars, journal clubs, hackathons, and community meetups to foster collaboration and innovation.
Community Events & Networking
Our Latest Blogs
Insights, updates, and articles on our industry, company culture, and more.
How Competitions Can Boost Your Bioinformatics Career
Insights on leveraging contests for skill development and networking.
By Laurah Ondari
Bioinformatics Researcher
Date
2025
The Future of Bioinformatics in Africa
Exploring emerging trends and opportunities in the African bioinformatics landscape.
By Pauline Karega
Founder BHKi
Date
2025
Getting Started with Python for Bioinformatics
A beginner's guide to using Python for bioinformatics applications and data analysis.
By BHKi
BHKi
Date
2025
Let us collaborate
We are always open to collaborations and partnerships. If you have any ideas or would like to work with us, please feel free to reach out.
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