06/08/2026
Kenya is stepping up efforts to translate pharmaceutical and vaccine research into industrial-scale production as part of the country’s drive to strengthen health security, expand local manufacturing and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage.
Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga joined the Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, at the inaugural meeting on translating research and development in pharmaceuticals and vaccines into industrial-scale production aligned with national health priorities.
Held at the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation offices at Railways, the meeting brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners and industry stakeholders to explore practical strategies for advancing local vaccine and diagnostic manufacturing and strengthening Africa’s preparedness for future public health emergencies.
Dr. Oluga noted that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the continent’s dependence on imported health products and demonstrated the need for sustainable end-to-end vaccine ecosystems. These should support research and product development, workforce training, regulation, procurement and large-scale manufacturing.
He highlighted Kenya’s continued investment in pandemic preparedness, disease surveillance, innovation and vaccine manufacturing through the Kenya National Public Health Institute, Kenya BioVax Institute, Kenya Medical Research Institute and Kenya Institute of Primate Research.
The Principal Secretary also underscored Kenya’s participation in the World Health Organization and Medicines Patent Pool mRNA technology transfer programme, which seeks to strengthen locally owned manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
He called for stronger collaboration among governments, researchers, development partners and the private sector to support the African Union and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention target of producing 60 per cent of Africa’s vaccines locally by 2040.
Dr. Oluga acknowledged the contribution of the African Union, World Health Organization, International Vaccine Institute, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union Development Agency–NEPAD and Kenya Medical Research Institute in workforce development, regulatory harmonisation, disease surveillance, product development and clinical research.
The Government remains committed to building a resilient health system under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and strengthening Kenya’s capacity to develop and manufacture the vaccines, diagnostics and other essential health products needed by its people.
