KASH Conference and KEMRI Ignite Kenya’s Push for Vaccine Independence
By Peace Muthoka
Kenya has renewed its push for vaccine self-reliance as scientists, policymakers and industry leaders gathered at the 16th KEMRI Annual Scientific and Health Research Conference, widely known as the KASH Conference.
The three-day meeting opened at a critical moment for the country’s health sector, with leaders agreeing that vaccine research, innovation and manufacturing must now move from ambition to action.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially opened the conference, describing science and innovation as “the backbone of health security, economic growth and national sovereignty.”
Held under the theme The Future of Health: Scientific Research, Innovations and Technology for a Resilient Universal Health Coverage, the conference placed vaccines at the heart of Kenya’s health and development agenda.
Speaking at the opening, KEMRI Director General and CEO Prof. Elijah Songok said vaccine research and development were no longer optional.
“Vaccine innovation is now a strategic national asset,” Prof. Songok said. “It is central to health security, Universal Health Coverage and economic resilience.”
However, he noted that Kenya still depends heavily on external markets despite recent progress.
“We have made important strides, including the Kenya Biovax Institute and partnerships with Africa CDC, but reliance on imports remains high,” he said. “That reality demands faster investment in local research and manufacturing.”
Throughout the conference, discussions centred on key enablers of vaccine self-reliance. These included strong research systems, sustainable financing, technology transfer and partnerships backed by strong regulatory frameworks.
At the same time, Prof. Songok emphasized that collaboration would determine success.
“Vaccine self-reliance cannot be achieved by one institution,” he said. “It needs government leadership, private sector engagement, academia and global partners working as one.”
Kenya Biovax Institute CEO Dr. Wesley Ronoh echoed the urgency, pointing to challenges on both supply and demand.
“The vaccine market is complex,” Dr. Ronoh said. “With about 99 percent of vaccines imported, we must de-risk production and also reshape demand by investing in the commercial ecosystem.”
Science and Innovation Foundation CEO Prof. Tom Kariuki reminded participants that vaccines remain one of humanity’s most powerful innovations.
“Our survival is closely linked to vaccines,” he said. “But progress only comes when countries invest in strong research environments that create jobs and attract investment.”
He urged Africa to shift from hosting clinical trials to owning discoveries.
“We must discover, patent and commercialize vaccines here,” Prof. Kariuki said. “Dependence on imports will never deliver self-sufficiency.”
While officially opening the conference, CS Duale said the government had placed science, innovation and manufacturing at the centre of national development.
“Vaccine research and manufacturing go beyond science,” Duale said. “They drive health security, industrial growth, jobs and national sovereignty.”
He highlighted major policy steps, including the creation of the State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, the 10-year Science and Innovation Master Plan, and plans to increase research funding to two percent of GDP.
Duale also reaffirmed Kenya’s ambition to become a regional hub for health products and vaccine manufacturing.
“It is unacceptable that Africa imports nearly all its vaccines,” he said. “COVID-19 taught us painful lessons, and we must not repeat them.”
As Kenya prepares to transition from Gavi support by 2030, the Cabinet Secretary said local manufacturing was no longer negotiable.
“Domestic production is critical for pandemic preparedness, supply chain resilience and affordable access,” he said.
He called on policymakers to sustain investment, urged researchers to translate science into solutions, and invited industry players to invest with confidence.
