The Government is exploring the establishment of a dedicated financing fund to expand local manufacturing of medicines, vaccines, and other health products.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, met Consolidated Bank Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Dominic Murage and Kenya BioVax Institute CEO Dr. Wesley Ronoh to discuss the proposed partnership.
According to the PS, Consolidated Bank, which is wholly owned by the National Treasury, will work with the Ministry of Health to develop the financing mechanism, while Kenya BioVax Institute will provide technical support to strengthen manufacturing capacity, technology transfer, and innovation.
The initiative follows the commitment made by President William Ruto at the Kenya Health Summit 2026 to create an enabling environment and expand financial support for local manufacturers.
Dr. Oluga noted that the Ministry has established a strong foundation for local manufacturing through policy interventions, a manufacturing strategy, a framework for health countermeasures, and an assessment of domestic production capacity.
“We have put in place the necessary policy and strategic framework to support local manufacturing. What we now need is to translate these interventions into increased production capacity, technology transfer, and sustainable financing for local manufacturers,” explained the PS.
The Government, he added, is also advancing research, technology transfer, and vaccine manufacturing through the Kenya BioVax Institute while exploring strategic partnerships, including with the Medicines Patent Pool, to strengthen local vaccine research and production.
Further, Dr. Oluga highlighted ongoing procurement reforms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority aimed at creating greater opportunities and a predictable market for locally manufactured health products.
“We have put in place market reforms that give local manufacturers a 15 percent preference over imported products, alongside preferential procurement mechanisms that create a predictable market for locally manufactured products,” affirmed the PS.
Ultimately, he emphasized that coordinated action among government institutions will expand access to quality health products, reduce reliance on imports, strengthen health security, and advance Universal Health Coverage.
By Michael Omondi
