Kenya is intensifying efforts to build a resilient, self-reliant health system anchored on local research, vaccine manufacturing, and digital health solutions, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Health Aden Duale has announced.
Speaking at the KEMRI’s Annual Scientific & Health (KASH) Conference in Nairobi, CS Duale emphasized that health is a cornerstone of the government’s bottom-up economic agenda, with Universal Health Coverage (UHC) at its center.
“Health is a very key pillar of the bottom-up economic agenda of our administration. Our approach is clear: we want a health system that is accessible, affordable, efficient, and locally anchored, while protecting families from catastrophic health expenditure,” affirmed the CS.
He outlined four pillars underpinning Kenya’s UHC strategy including sustainable health financing, a robust healthcare workforce, community-based care, and a digital health ecosystem.
On the other hand, Duale reported that the government has leveraged technology to track hospital bed occupancy in public, private, and faith-based facilities through the Bed Access Room app, significantly reducing incidents of patients sleeping on hospital floors.
“This digital health system ensures hospitals operate efficiently. For instance, Kenyatta Hospital, with a bed capacity of 1,800, can now be monitored in real time, avoiding overcapacity admissions that were common before digitization,” he explained.
The CS further highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s scientific, research, and industrial capacity to support vaccine research, development, and local manufacturing.
In this regard, under CS Duale’s leadership, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has been elevated as a strategic national institution.
“It’s not just about science. It’s about health security, economic competitiveness, industrial growth, and job creation,” he stated.
In addition, the government has established the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation, implemented a 10-year Science, Research, and Innovation Master Plan (2026–2036), and committed to increasing national investment in research from 0.8 percent to 2 percent of GDP.
“Our deliberate positioning of Kenya as a regional hub for health products and vaccine manufacturing is anchored by KEMRI, the Kenya Biobank Institute, universities, and private biotechnology partners. Local manufacturing is not an option, it’s a strategic necessity for health, security, and economic transformation,” Duale reaffirmed.
The CS also noted Africa’s reliance on imported vaccines, with 99 percent of vaccines used on the continent sourced externally.
He recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed this vulnerability, prompting Kenya to prioritize domestic vaccine production stressing that by 2030, the country aims to graduate from external vaccine support under the Global Alliance for Vaccines and move decisively toward vaccine independence.
“The lesson from COVID-19 is clear: unless we are self-sufficient, future pandemics will leave us waiting while developed countries prioritize their citizens. Kenya Biobank aims to ensure that 60–70 percent of vaccines can be locally manufactured,” he reiterated.
KEMRI Director General (DG), Prof. Elijah Songok, emphasized the importance of domestic vaccine capability, citing the need for African countries to take ownership of vaccine production.
“One of the lessons we learned is that without vaccines produced in Africa, we will continue playing catch-up. We must prepare for the next pandemic,” he urged.
As well, Prof. Songok highlighted the significance of genotyping, molecular immunity, and clinical trials in developing vaccines tailored to local populations.
Also speaking at the conference, Dr. Wesley Ronoh, CEO of the Kenya Bio Vax Initiative, described the Kenya Biobank as a major step toward enhancing local vaccine capacity.
“It provides the opportunity to produce vaccines locally, progressing toward the vaccine market while reducing reliance on imports. Greater investment is required to realize this vision,” he said.
Making his remarks, Ondari Mugeni, Associate Research Scientist at the International Vaccine Institute, stressed the importance of translating research into practical solutions.
He cited the IQATE oral colorectal vaccine developed locally and highlighted the need for government and industry support to make vaccines accessible and affordable.
“We aim to build capability, ensure sustainability, and create a stable vaccine market across Africa,” he pronounced.
On his part, Prof. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the South African Foundation, underscored the transformative role of science and innovation in vaccine development and public health.
“Vaccines are among the greatest innovations, saving billions of lives. Africa must invest in research, clinical trials, and skilled workforce development to translate discoveries into tangible benefits,” he maintained.
In the meantime, CS Duale urged policymakers, researchers, and private sector partners to sustain investment in science and local manufacturing, intensify mission-oriented research, and seize opportunities for partnership to create jobs and deliver quality products.
“As we engage over the next three days, from genomics to natural products, from noncommunicable diseases to precision medicine, think boldly, collaborate deeply, and act decisively. Aligning science, policy, and investment will secure the health of our people and Kenya’s place in the global knowledge and manufacturing economy,” he rallied.
The three-day conference brings together policymakers, scientists, researchers, and industry players to deliberate on strategies for linking research to industry, advancing local vaccine manufacturing, and building a sustainable health ecosystem for Kenya and the region.
By Naif Rashid
