Kenya secures $500 million funding to construct Africa’s first vaccine facility

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The Deputy President William Ruto addressing Kenyan journalists during an interview in 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 revealed by president Ruto on Thursday during the American chamber of commerce regional business summit.

“I want to highlight the medical and pharmaceutical sector where I have a major announcement to make. It is with pleasure that I announce a finalized deal between Moderna and the Government of Kenya to build a $500 million mRNA vaccine facility in the Nairobi area. This will be the only such facility on the African continent and, for Moderna, their first factory outside the United States. Moderna’s investment will be a catalyst for the medical and pharmaceutical industry in Africa. This is historic. This is big. This is my administration’s vision for the future of Kenya.” Ruto said.

This is however not the first time the vaccine facility is being announced, as former President Uhuru Kenyatta last year witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Kenya and Moderna to establish the factory.

Kenyatta, at the time, said the state-of-the-art mRNA facility would produce up to 500 million doses of vaccines each year.
President Ruto also credited Kenya with leading the continent in e-mobility services with two and three-wheel electric vehicles and buses.

President Ruto also added that “We are home to over 30 e-mobility companies, including industry leaders like KiriEV, Roam, BasiGo, ArcRide, and Powerhive, while attracting regional players like Ampersand, who expanded into the Kenyan market with US support, and US electric vehicle industry leader, Rivian, who has e-safari vehicles operating in Kenya. These companies and many others are raising significant capital and transforming Africa's future.”

At the same time, Kenya’s head of state has called for a public service that adapts to the changing times. The President noted that inevitable changes must be undertaken to facilitate public service to deliver.

“We are serving the public at a time of daunting challenge. We are tasked with sparking accelerating economic recovery and ensuring equitable access to opportunities.”

He was speaking on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre during the launch of the 2021-2022 Report on Status of Compliance with the Values and Principles of Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution.

He also commissioned the Public Service Internship Programme, where at least 10,000 interns will be recruited every year.

“For the Government’s Plan to be realized, we must begin by transforming our Public Service to make it more responsive to people's needs. We will facilitate the Public Service Commission to exhibit high levels of productivity, good governance, diligence, and excellent performance.”

GAROWE ONLINE

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