The President pointed out that the setting up of the mRNA manufacturing facility will be a game changer especially for Kenya who has had a vision to produce vaccines.
“We are celebrating one of the greatest things that has possibly happened since the onset of COVID-19 at the African continent,” said President Kenyatta when he spoke.
The President reiterated the challenges faced by the African continent during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was not because of lack of finances to buy the vaccines but because the vaccines were not available for them for purchase.
The President thanked Moderna company for coming up to fill the space which made the continent suffer in meeting its vaccines needs saying the new facility will go along way in enabling African countries tackle any emerging future pandemics.
“We all know the challenges that Kenya and the entire continent of Africa went through in the earlier stages of this pandemic that resulted in Africa being left behind. Not because of want but because of lack and Moderna has come to fill that space.
“We are truly grateful, for this and I think it will be transformative not just in helping us with the current pandemic but also preparing the continent of Africa for future pandemics,” President Kenyatta said.
Moderna’s Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Bancel said his company is committed to partnering to provide a health solution saying the investment the company is making in Kenya is crucial as it is part of the solution to ensuring global health equity.
The President thanked the Director for Africa Centre for Disease Control Dr. John Nkengasong and the Government of America for supporting Kenya in its endeavor to set up the facility.