Kisumu: Kisumu County has signed a concession agreement with US-based YUNIGEN Pharmaceuticals to locally manufacture sickle cell medication and expand access to care for thousands living with the disease. The development marks a major stride in the county’s efforts to combat sickle cell disease (SCD), an under-recognised public health burden that affects 2 in every 100 Kisumu residents, mostly children.
According to Kenya News Agency, the agreement between Kisumu and YUNIGEN includes rolling out routine newborn screening in all public health facilities, ensuring a steady supply of affordable, paediatric-friendly hydroxyurea, building health worker capacity, and establishing a digital registry for effective tracking and treatment. YUNIGEN is expected to acquire land and build a modern packaging plant, which will be fast-tracked as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with support from the county government.
During the signing ceremony, Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o stated that through the partnership, YUNIGEN will commence packaging of hydroxyurea in Kisumu, marking a significant milestone in enhancing access to the lifesaving drug for sicklers. This initiative aims to ensure a steady supply and give impetus to the fight against the genetic blood disorder by providing high-quality medication to patients.
Governor Nyong’o highlighted the move’s potential to foster job creation, skills development, technology transfer, and broader pharmaceutical manufacturing in Kisumu. He described the collaboration as a commitment to transforming health outcomes, stimulating pharmaceutical manufacturing, and restoring dignity to families affected by the genetic blood disorder. He emphasized that the partnership is about delivering hope to children and families who have long endured the silent suffering of sickle cell disease.
Nyong’o also noted that the partnership addresses the economic, emotional, and social impacts of sickle cell on caregivers and communities, especially mothers. The deal builds on recent investments by the county, including the reopening of Victoria Annex Hospital as a specialized Sickle Cell and Surgical Hub. The facility currently offers comprehensive care services such as cytapheresis, psychosocial support, and nutritional counselling, with future plans for bone marrow transplants and management of other blood disorders like leukaemia.
Dr. Charles Odhiambo, Unigen Kenya Chief Medical Officer, mentioned that the packaging plant is the first phase of the project, with plans underway to start local manufacturing of hydroxyurea in Kisumu. The drugs will be manufactured in the US and shipped in bulk to Kisumu, which will create employment and reduce drug costs. Kisumu is the first hub for the giant pharmaceutical in Africa and will serve other African countries where the disease prevalence is high.
Yunigen President Wycliffe Omwancha praised the partnership, noting its potential to spur innovations in SCD management. Clinical research will be conducted in Kisumu to assess the response of combining two drugs, hydroxyurea and L-hutamine, which has been approved in the United States to fight the disease. The study aims to attack the disease from two mechanisms of action to achieve better outcomes.
