The Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Aden Duale has held a strategic dialogue with the board and senior management of the Kenya BioVax Institute to discuss local vaccine manufacturing.
The CS, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to local vaccine manufacturing as a cornerstone of Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.
The engagement focused on the Institute’s mandate to manufacture and commercialise safe, high-quality, and effective human vaccines, alongside other critical health products and technologies essential to national health security.
Marking his first visit to the Institute, the CS was briefed on key milestones, including progress towards Kenya’s first trial batch of locally manufactured vaccines, which is targeted for release by the end of 2027.
During the visit, Duale noted that the first phase of the vaccine manufacturing facility—fully funded by the government—has been successfully completed, with the second phase now underway.
“This phase will involve project integration and the installation of critical equipment, including advanced fill-and-finish systems,” he announced.
Additionally, the discussions also highlighted Kenya’s achievement of World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 3, attained with the support of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and the National Quality Control Laboratory.
According to Duale, the milestone positions Kenya as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in Africa, strengthens regulatory oversight, and supports the country’s UHC goals while contributing to economic growth under the 5th Administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
CS Duale further noted that the Institute is set to benefit from World Bank support through the Regional Health Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Resilience (HEPRRP) programme.
“The initiative is expected to enhance Kenya’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and strengthen preparedness for public health emergencies,” he reiterated.
In an interactive engagement with staff, the CS underscored the importance of integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service, as outlined under Article 232 of the Constitution, emphasising that these values are essential to delivering people-centred and effective healthcare.
The CS was hosted by Kenya BioVax Institute Board Chairperson Dr. Charles Githinji and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Wesley Ronoh. He was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga; the Director-General for Health, Dr. Patrick Amoth; and World Bank representative Dr. Bernard Olayo.
By Michael Omondi
