Kenya BioVax Institute Limited

13/05/2026

was honoured to host H.E. , French Minister for International Development, Republic of France, during a successful tour of our Embakasi Facility. The visit included a ceremonial tree planting, a tour of the facility, and high-level engagements with representatives from Kenya BioVax, the Ministry of Health, the , and the French delegation. In her remarks, H.E. Caroit underscored the importance of health independence for Kenya and Africa, noting that institutions such as Kenya BioVax are central to building resilient health systems, strengthening regional manufacturing capacity, and reducing dependency on external vaccine supply chains.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary, State Department for Medical Services, emphasized the need to support Kenya BioVax beyond fill-and-finish towards end-to-end vaccine and biotherapeutics manufacturing. He highlighted the importance of sustained partnerships in technology transfer, research and development, regulatory strengthening, quality systems, workforce development, and commercial-scale production. As Kenya BioVax progresses from enabling works toward operational readiness, the Institute looks forward to deeper collaboration with France, the World Bank, and other strategic partners in end-to-end manufacturing, technology transfer, regulatory and quality systems strengthening, skills development, market access, and supply chain resilience in support of Kenya’s health security and Africa’s long-term health sovereignty.

10/05/2026

09/05/2026

Members of Parliament from the National Assembly of France visited the ongoing mRNA laboratory construction site at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) as part of engagements aimed at strengthening partnerships in local vaccine manufacturing and health innovation ahead of the 2026 Africa Forward Summit. The delegation was accompanied by Gelise McCullough, Head of Communications at the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), alongside representatives from Focus 2030. The team met with officials from Kenya BioVax Institute and KEMRI, led by Dr. Cecilia Wanjala and Dr. Earnest Wandera, during which discussions focused on Kenya’s progress in advancing mRNA technology capabilities and strengthening local manufacturing systems.

The discussions highlighted the strategic advantages of mRNA technology, including rapid vaccine development, adaptability to emerging diseases, and its potential to strengthen Africa’s pandemic preparedness and health security. The meeting also explored future areas of collaboration under the WHO–MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, including technical training, technology transfer, workforce development, regulatory strengthening, and research partnerships. Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, the global mRNA technology transfer hub based in South Africa, which is supporting participating countries in building next-generation vaccine manufacturing capacity. The engagement comes ahead of the 2026 Africa Forward Summit, officially titled Africa Forward: Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth, scheduled to take place in Nairobi from 11th to 12th May 2026.

01/05/2026

Happy Labour Day 2026!

Today, Kenya BioVax Institute celebrates the dedication, resilience, and contribution of workers across Kenya and beyond.

We especially honour the scientists, health workers, manufacturers, innovators, public servants, and partners whose daily efforts continue to strengthen Kenya’s health security and advance local manufacturing of vaccines and other health products.

Your labour builds the nation. Your commitment protects lives. Your service inspires progress.

Happy Labour Day from Kenya BioVax Institute.

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30/04/2026

Kenya Advances Vaccine Manufacturing Ambitions Through IVI Leadership Role

Kenya's contribution to vaccine self-reliance and regional health security received global recognition during the International Vaccine Institute (IVI ) Global Council meeting held in Manila, Philippines. The event, aimed at shaping the Institute's long-term strategic direction, brought together IVI member states and partners to deliberate on future governance, review the draft 2027–2031 strategy, and strengthen collaboration on innovation, country partnerships, and local and regional vaccine development and manufacturing. A key milestone for Kenya was its election as Vice-President of the IVI Global Council, alongside Brazil, as non-funding state representatives to the IVI Board of Trustees, effective November 2026.

From the Kenya BioVax Institute Limited 's perspective, this milestone aligns closely with Kenya's ambition to build sustainable vaccine manufacturing capacity and contribute meaningfully to Africa's vaccine self-reliance agenda. Kenya's representation by Dr. Wesley Ronoh, Chief Executive Officer of Kenya BioVax Institute, and Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General of Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), reflects a coordinated national approach that connects vaccine research, development, manufacturing, and policy leadership. As BioVax advances Kenya's local manufacturing agenda, engagement through IVI provides a valuable platform to deepen partnerships, strengthen technical capacity, and position Kenya as an active contributor to vaccine equity, regional manufacturing readiness, and public health impact.

29/04/2026

Strengthening Kenya’s vaccine manufacturing readiness requires sustained technical engagement, strategic collaboration, and shared expertise. Kenya BioVax Institute was pleased to host Mr. Frederik Kristensen, Managing Director, Dr. Michael Lusiola, Director, and Ms. Emmanuelle Naud, Senior Project Manager, from the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC) during their visit to the Embakasi site for the planned fill-and-finish facility. The delegation engaged BioVax’s technical team on project progress, technical requirements, and strategic opportunities linked to advancing local vaccine manufacturing capacity in Kenya. The engagement further strengthened dialogue on sustainable vaccine production, regional manufacturing readiness, and the partnerships required to advance health security in Kenya and across Africa.

28/04/2026

hosted a delegation from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, led by Frauke Goebel and Meltem Çakmak, for a strategic meeting to explore potential areas of collaboration in advancing local vaccine manufacturing. The engagement provided an opportunity for both teams to discuss shared priorities around institutional capacity strengthening, production readiness, quality systems, and technical partnerships that can support Kenya’s ambition to build a sustainable vaccine manufacturing ecosystem.

BioVax was represented by Dr. Serah Muteru, G.M, Regulatory Affairs, Product Quality Assurance & Safety , and Dr. Meshack Odenyo, G.M, Production, who highlighted the Institute’s mandate and its ongoing progress in strengthening Kenya’s health security through the local production of vaccines and other health products. The GIZ delegation was accompanied by Timo Tekhaus from Cognos International and Dr Sara Vernocchi from , underscoring the value of multi-partner collaboration, knowledge exchange, and technical support in accelerating Africa’s journey toward vaccine self-reliance.

07/04/2026

Dr. Serah Muteru, GM, Regulatory Affairs, Product Quality and Safety, represented at the West Africa Biomanufacturing Regulation & Market Access Forum in Accra, Ghana, where leaders from across Africa convened to advance regulatory alignment, market access, sustainable financing and strategic partnerships for vaccines, sera and other biologics.

BioVax participated in the workshop as part of the discussions on capacity-building priorities for biomanufacturing, contributing perspectives on strengthening regulatory and technical capacity, regional collaboration, and the systems needed to support sustainable local production and access to vaccines and other biologics in Africa.

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01/04/2026

Today, we joined colleagues across Kenya BioVax Institute in celebrating Anita Loko from the Supply Chain Management Division as she begins a new chapter in her career. We thank Anita for her dedication, professionalism, and the positive contribution she has made during her time with us. As she leaves for greener pastures, we wish her every success, growth, and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

Congratulations, Anita, and best wishes from all of us at Kenya BioVax Institute.

01/04/2026

As conversations on health product security continue to gain momentum across Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières / MSF Access convened an expert roundtable on 27 March to examine the promise and practical realities of local and regional manufacturing in Eastern and Southern Africa. The discussion brought together experts, including Dr. Serah Muteru of , Patrick Osewe, and Rosemary Mburu of , to explore whether local production can truly improve affordability, quality, supply security, equity, and resilience, especially in humanitarian settings. The roundtable also examined critical issues such as regulatory readiness, technology transfer, investment, market shaping, and the structural bottlenecks that continue to affect manufacturing on the continent, while calling for approaches that put public health needs and access at the center of Africa’s manufacturing agenda.