Kenya is set to establish vaccine and pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs in a groundbreaking partnership with China, a move expected to position the country as a continental leader in health product production by 2028.
The initiative was unveiled on Monday by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale after high-level discussions with a Chinese delegation led by Ambassador Guo Haiyan. The project, valued at USD 500 million (approximately Ksh 64.7 billion), will support Kenya’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported medical supplies and enhance local capacity.
“This partnership will not only strengthen Kenya’s health supply chains but also create new jobs and support our long-term development agenda,” said Duale. “It represents a strategic step towards self-reliance in healthcare innovation.”
In addition to the investment, China has offered 500 scholarships to Kenyan students and pledged to fund 20 annual health exchange programs. These initiatives are aimed at nurturing the next generation of healthcare leaders and professionals in Kenya.
Duale emphasized the need to transition from donor-dependency to a co-investment model, urging China to support Kenya’s ambitions to innovate and lead in health technology. The CS also proposed the formation of a Kenya–China Health Cooperation Taskforce to oversee and accelerate the implementation of the joint health initiatives.
During the meeting, Duale updated the Chinese delegation on Kenya’s ongoing health sector reforms, particularly the rollout of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which aims to streamline healthcare financing and delivery.
He also lauded China’s continued support in the sector, highlighting Huawei’s role in equipping rural health facilities with digital tools and training thousands of healthcare workers across the country.
The meeting was attended by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni and Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, underscoring the government’s commitment to the transformative agenda.
The Kenya-China partnership is expected to be a game-changer for the country’s healthcare landscape, fostering innovation, job creation, and long-term sustainability in the health sector.
