Japan commits Ksh.3B to support Kenya's local vaccine manufacturing

The commitment was announced during a meeting between Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga and the Japan-Kenya Joint Technical Working Group (TWG), led by Japan's Chargé d'Affaires Hori Tomonobu, to review progress under the Kenya-Japan health cooperation framework.

Discussions focused on strengthening local pharmaceutical manufacturing, regulatory cooperation and health research.

Dr. Oluga welcomed Japan's commitment, saying the funding will be channelled through the State Department for Medical Services and the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) to strengthen the country's vaccine research and manufacturing capacity.

He said the support will help finance modern research infrastructure and specialised skills development aimed at enhancing local vaccine production.

The meeting also reviewed progress towards implementing the Reliance Process, an initiative intended to expedite the regulatory review of medicines already approved in Japan.

Other areas of cooperation include strengthening pharmaceutical regulatory harmonisation, combating substandard and falsified medical products, and supporting the growth of Kenya's pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

The meeting was also attended by Japan Technical Advisor Kanako Okano, directors Dr. Nazilla Ganatra and Ahmed Omar, Kenya Biovax Institute's Prof. Oduor, and representatives from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) and KEMRI.