Kenya secures $500 million in funding to build Africa’s first vaccine facility
Vice President William Ruto addresses Kenyan journalists during an interview at New York/DPPS
NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto’s administration has announced the construction of a $500 million Moderna vaccine facility in Nairobi. This was disclosed by Chairman Ruto on Thursday during the US Chamber of Commerce Regional Business Summit.
“I would like to focus on the medical and pharmaceutical sector where we have important announcements. I am pleased to announce the final agreement between Moderna and the Government of Kenya to build a $500 million mRNA vaccine facility in the Nairobi region, the only such facility on the African continent. This is Moderna’s first facility outside the United States. This is historic. This is a big deal. This is my administration’s vision for Kenya’s future. ” Ruto said.
However, this is not the first time a vaccine facility has been announced, with former President Uhuru Kenyatta last year witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Kenya and Moderna to set up the factory.
Kenyatta said at the time that the state-of-the-art mRNA facility could produce up to 500 million doses of vaccine a year.
President Ruto also praised Kenya for leading the continent in e-mobility services with two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles and buses.
President Ruto also said, “Our country is home to more than 30 e-mobility companies, including industry leaders such as Kiri EV, Rohm, Basigo, Arcride and Powerhive, while Ampera, which has entered the Kenyan market with US support, We are also attracting regional companies such as Sandoz and Rivian, the US electric vehicle industry leader that operates e-safari vehicles in Kenya. These companies and many others are raising significant capital and changing the future of Africa.”
At the same time, Kenya’s head of state is demanding public services that adapt to changing times. The President noted the need to undertake inevitable changes to facilitate public service delivery.
“We are serving our people at a time when we are facing difficult challenges. We have a mission to accelerate economic recovery and ensure equitable access to opportunity.”
He was speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Center on Friday at the launch of the 2021-2022 report on the status of compliance with the values and principles of Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution.
He also commissioned a civil service internship program that recruits at least 10,000 interns each year.
“Delivering the Government’s plans must start by transforming the public service to be more responsive to people’s needs. We will support public service commissions to achieve high levels of productivity, good governance, diligence and high performance.”
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