Duale hosts high-level meeting over plans to put up Ksh32B vaccine hub in Kenya
Kenya has held a high-level agreement with South Korea to strengthen vaccine manufacturing and public health systems, marking a significant milestone in its push toward vaccine self-sufficiency and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The announcement was made on Friday, August 8, 2025, by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale following a strategic meeting at Afya House between him, his ICT counterpart William Kabogo, and Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI).
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“With my Cabinet colleague Hon. William Kabogo (Information, Communications and the Digital Economy), we held a high-level meeting at Afya House with the Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), Dr. Jerome Kim, to deepen collaboration on Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda,” the statement read on X.
The Cs said central to the discussions was the planned Ksh32.2 billion vaccine manufacturing facility, a flagship project in Kenya’s bio-manufacturing strategy.
Once complete, the facility is expected to make Kenya a regional hub for vaccine production.
“This is a landmark step in our strategy to make Kenya a regional hub for vaccine production,” the CS stated.
Duale said a major component of the agreement includes a new partnership between the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and Kenya’s own K-AIST, which will focus on joint vaccine research and innovation.
“I welcomed the upcoming partnership between KAIST and K-AIST, aimed at advancing joint vaccine research and innovation,” the CS added.
The Kenya-Korea deal
Kenya’s leadership in continental health efforts was also spotlighted, particularly as host of the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVEC) Africa Project Office. This continental initiative seeks to build Africa’s vaccine value chain from research and development to manufacturing and delivery.
“Kenya is taking the lead in strengthening the continent’s vaccine value chain, from research to delivery,” Duale asserted.
The CS reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to equitable healthcare.
“Kenya remains fully committed to ensuring no child or community is left behind in the fight against preventable diseases,” he said.
CS Kabogo echoed support for biomedical research and innovation through robust data systems and policy alignment under the Digital Economy Blueprint.
Kenya’s accession to IVI in June 2024 as one of five African member states was hailed as a key milestone in securing health sovereignty for the continent.
The meeting included key stakeholders such as PS Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), PS John Tanui (ICT), Patrick Amoth, and representatives from KAIST and the Korean Embassy.
