By Suleiman Mbatiah
The government has signaled a fresh push to scale up pharmaceutical manufacturing, promising policy reforms, improved coordination, and long-term financing to attract new investment into the sector.
Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the state is ready to take “practical steps” to strengthen local production, including updating laws, aligning policies, and unlocking capital for manufacturers.
“We cannot grow an economy through imports alone,” Mr Kinyanjui said during a breakfast meeting on opportunities, challenges, and financial solutions for the pharmaceutical industry.
Kenya currently imports more than 70 percent of its pharmaceutical products, spending an estimated Sh40 billion annually on drugs and medical supplies from countries such as India, China, and Europe. This heavy reliance exposed the country to supply disruptions and price volatility, particularly during global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Kinyanjui stressed that Kenya must build its own capacity while committing to remove barriers, support investors, and work with the Ministry of Health to guarantee product uptake and timely payments.
The ministry, through the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC), will offer long-term financing to firms investing in new plants, expansion projects, and working capital to operationalize facilities.
According to the CS, growing the pharmaceutical industry will not only create jobs but also make the country more resilient to global supply shocks. “I encourage investors to seize this opportunity, as the pharmaceutical sector is a proven engine for jobs, innovation, and economic transformation,” he added.
The breakfast meeting brought together key players in the sector, including Investment PS Abubakar Hassan, Medical Services PS Dr Ouma Oluga, KDC chairman Dr Sakwa Bunyasi, KDC Director-General Norah Ratemo, Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya president Dr Wairimu Njuki, and Dr Vimal Patel, chairman of the Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers.