Nairobi: 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 and 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, CS Duale outlined four pillars underpinning Kenya’s UHC strategy including sustainable health financing, a robust healthcare workforce, community-based care, and a digital health ecosystem. Duale highlighted the use of technology to track hospital bed occupancy through the Bed Access Room app, reducing incidents of patients sleeping on hospital floors. This system enables real-time monitoring of hospitals like Kenyatta Hospital, preventing overcapacity admissions.
The government is committed to strengthening Kenya’s scientific, research, and industrial capacity to support vaccine research and local manufacturing. Under CS Duale’s leadership, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has been elevated as a strategic national institution. Duale also mentioned the establishment of the State Department for Science, Research, and Innovation, the implementation of a 10-year Science, Research, and Innovation Master Plan, and plans to increase national investment in research from 0.8 percent to 2 percent of GDP.
Duale addressed Africa’s reliance on imported vaccines, with 99 percent sourced externally, and the vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2030, Kenya aims to graduate from external vaccine support and achieve vaccine independence. The Kenya Biobank aims to ensure that 60-70 percent of vaccines can be locally manufactured.
KEMRI Director General, Prof. Elijah Songok, emphasized the importance of domestic vaccine capability. He noted the need for African countries to take ownership of vaccine production and prepare for future pandemics. Dr. Wesley Ronoh, CEO of the Kenya Bio Vax Initiative, described the Kenya Biobank as a significant step toward enhancing local vaccine capacity, aiming to reduce reliance on imports.
Ondari Mugeni, Associate Research Scientist at the International Vaccine Institute, stressed the need for translating research into practical solutions, citing the locally developed IQATE oral colorectal vaccine. Prof. Tom Kariuki, CEO of the South African Foundation, underscored the transformative role of science and innovation in vaccine development.
CS Duale urged stakeholders to sustain investment in science and local manufacturing, intensify mission-oriented research, and pursue partnerships to create jobs and deliver quality products. The three-day conference brings together policymakers, scientists, researchers, and industry players to deliberate on strategies for advancing local vaccine manufacturing and building a sustainable health ecosystem for Kenya and the region.
