Kenya Pushes for Vaccine Self-Reliance as Africa Rethinks Health Security

By James Nyaigoti,

Kenya has signalled a decisive shift toward vaccine self-reliance and regional health manufacturing leadership as the 16th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health (KASH) Pre-Conference opened in Nairobi, placing Africa’s long-standing dependence on imported vaccines under renewed scrutiny.

Held under the theme “Advancing Kenya’s Vaccine Manufacturing Capacity for Sustainable Health Security,” the high-level forum brought together government leaders, scientists, and international partners at a time when global supply chain disruptions and pandemic lessons continue to reshape health policy worldwide.

Opening the meeting, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Aden Duale, framed vaccine manufacturing as a strategic imperative extending beyond public health.

“Vaccine research, development and manufacturing is not just about science. It is about health security, economic competitiveness, industrial growth, and national sovereignty,” Duale said.

From Pandemic Lessons to Policy Action

Africa currently imports an estimated 99 percent of the vaccines it consumes, a reality that left many countries exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic when wealthy nations prioritised domestic supply. According to Duale, Kenya is determined not to repeat that vulnerability.

“Unless we become self-sufficient and prepare for future pandemics, we will always be last in line during global emergencies,” he warned.

Kenya’s approach aligns with a broader continental push, with President William Ruto currently chairing the African Union’s local manufacturing initiative, aimed at accelerating African-led production of vaccines and other health products.

Health Systems, Digital Reform, and Manufacturing Readiness

Duale linked vaccine manufacturing to Kenya’s ongoing health system reforms under its Universal Health Coverage (UHC) programme, which he described as the foundation for a resilient manufacturing ecosystem.

“We are building a health system that is accessible, affordable, efficient, and locally anchored — while protecting families from catastrophic health expenditure,” he said.

A key component of this reform is digital health. Kenya has rolled out a national digital health ecosystem, enabling real-time hospital bed management and system-wide monitoring.

“Today, we can see bed occupancy across public and private hospitals in real time. This is about efficiency, accountability, and dignity in healthcare,” Duale noted.

Investing in Science as an Economic Strategy

To support local innovation, the government has elevated science and manufacturing to the centre of national development policy. Duale outlined four major commitments: the creation of a State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, implementation of a 10-year national research master plan (2026–2036), a pledge to raise research funding to 2 percent of GDP, and the positioning of Kenya as a regional hub for vaccine and health product manufacturing.

“Local manufacturing is not optional. It is a strategic necessity for health security and economic transformation,” he said.

As part of this shift, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has been designated an institution of systemic importance, placing it at the centre of the country’s vaccine ambitions.

KEMRI’s Scientific Capacity and Global Partnerships

KEMRI Director-General Prof. Elijah Songok highlighted the institute’s expanding research infrastructure, noting its work in molecular immunology, disease surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and advanced laboratory platforms that support vaccine development.

“We have over 400 specialised scientists, strong biobank capacity, and advanced technologies that allow targeted research across multiple disease areas,” Prof. Songok said.

He stressed that KEMRI’s work extends beyond Kenya, supporting regional research and surveillance across Africa, while leveraging partnerships with global institutions.

“Our collaborations with organisations such as the Wellcome Trust, the U.S. CDC, and Walter Reed strengthen data sharing, expertise, and innovation,” he added.

Community engagement, Songok noted, remains central to the success of new health technologies.

“Scientific innovation must go hand in hand with public trust and acceptance,” he said.

A Continental Market in Transition

A third expert speaker at the forum placed Kenya’s efforts within a wider African context, noting that while more than 25 vaccine manufacturing investments are emerging across the continent, long-term success will depend on market alignment, skills development, and sustained financing.

“Vaccine manufacturing is not only about resilience during crises. It is about building sustainable health systems and viable markets for the future,” the expert said.

Redefining Africa’s Role in Global Health

As the KASH Pre-Conference continues, participants agreed that Africa’s transition from vaccine importer to manufacturer will require policy coherence, regional cooperation, and long-term investment, but also offers an opportunity to redefine the continent’s role in global health security.

For Kenya, the message from Nairobi was clear: vaccine manufacturing is no longer a distant aspiration, but a central pillar of national and continental strategy in an increasingly uncertain world.