Kenya's Health Ministry Partners With Unizima Company To Build Local Biomanufacturing Expertise

Belgium, March 30, 2023 -  The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nakumicha S. Wafula, on Thursday held discussions with Hala Audi, the Chief Executive Officer of Unizima Company in Belgium. The two parties discussed the possibility of partnering towards building human resource capacity in biomanufacturing, as the Kenyan government prioritizes local manufacturing for Health Products and Technologies.
The discussions centered on the need to develop the requisite skills and expertise in biomanufacturing, particularly for vaccines and biopharmaceuticals. This need arises from the establishment of the Biovax Kenya Institute and the imminent arrival of Moderna Inc, which are at an advanced stage towards establishing a firm in Kenya.
The development of local expertise and the up-skilling of the current workforce to work in these manufacturing sites is of utmost priority. This also includes training the future workforce required to operate and maintain Research and Development of biologicals in Kenya.
Accompanying the Cabinet Secretary was a team of experts including Dr. Muganda Beatrice, Principal Secretary for Higher Education, Prof. Elijah Songok, Ag. Director General of the Kenyan Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Prof. Olive Mugenda, Chairperson of the Board of KUTRRH, Dr. Michael Lusiola, CEO of Kenya BioVax Institute, Mr. Ahmed Dagane, CEO of KUTRRH, technical representatives from the Ministry of Health, as well as the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
To move this work forward, the Ministry of Health plans to bring all stakeholders together, including training and research institutions and partners. With this partnership, Kenya is on track towards achieving its goal of building a robust and sustainable local biomanufacturing industry, which will lead to improved healthcare outcomes for all its citizens.