The Kisumu government has partnered with Med Aditus Kenya Limited to build a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant at the University of the Great Lakes in Kisumu.
The multi-billion shilling project will be built in two phases on a 15-acre site. The first phase will cost Sh1.6 billion ($10 million) and include factories and other infrastructure.
The agreement will make Kisumu County the first county in western Kenya to establish and operate a pharmaceutical company.
Once complete, the facility will produce 2 billion subsidized tablets a year.
Med Aditus Kenya Limited is a subsidiary of Med Aditus Incorporation, a US-based not-for-profit pharmaceutical company founded with the vision of increasing access to quality medicines in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o said they had signed a concession agreement that provides the legal framework for a partnership that will allow construction to begin.
He said he was also working with the University of Kibos (GLUK) to build a pharmaceutical factory.
“We are proud to host a project that will not only provide hundreds of job opportunities for our people, but also produce affordable, high-quality medicines for underserved patients. I think so,” Nyong’o said.
The company is expected to stimulate the local economy, contribute to research and training, and strengthen the local health sector.
Mr Nyong’o, who spoke at the launch of the project in Kibos on Wednesday, said the initiative would definitely create an opportunity to build a Faculty of Pharmacy at the university.
He is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Med Aditas Pharmaceuticals and Med Aditas Pharmaceuticals Kenya Limited, Dr. Diren Thakkar, President and Chief Executive Officer of Med Aditas International ( He praised the partnership with CEO Robert Bruin.
Local drug production reduces the county's dependence on imports and improves supply chain security.
It also makes us more resilient to shocks and disruptions, especially in the face of emerging or re-emerging diseases.
In addition to medicines, it will foster innovation, training and research and development in the pharmaceutical sector, contributing to achieving the national agenda of universal health coverage and the promotion of local manufacturing.
The governor said the government is committed to supporting Med Aditus in its mission to create a sustainable ecosystem for producing medicines in Kenya and abroad.
“We have provided land, infrastructure and incentives to facilitate the implementation of this project,” Nyong'o said.
The county also works with state agencies to ensure the project complies with the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility.
Africa, which accounts for 25 percent of the global disease burden and just 1 percent of global health spending, faces significant challenges.
Mr Nyong'o said the continent's heavy dependence on imports led to unstable supplies and the infiltration of substandard medicines to meet unmet drug needs.
Med Aditus, in collaboration with international trainer Lymedi International, will introduce cutting-edge technology that will revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry in sub-Saharan Africa.
Modular continuous manufacturing assemblies combined with real-time process control accelerate the production of high-quality pharmaceuticals to meet domestic needs and pave the way for export.
Mr Nyong'o said we must ensure that medicines produced by Med Aditus reach the poorest people and are used appropriately and effectively.
“We must continue to invest in our health systems, human resources and communities to ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable health care,” he said.
The governor called on residents to embrace and promote projects and support local industries and products.
Mr Nyong'o assured residents, especially those in Kibos, that non-technical jobs would be given priority once construction work begins.
This project will complement the county's efforts to improve preventive, public and family health care.
“Our health indicators have improved systematically over the past five years, as reported in the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey,” Nyong'o said.
He said he would continue to invest in training, research, data collection, hospital modernization and service delivery.
Mr Nyong'o said the county had seen a reduction in maternal mortality rate of about 30 per cent (from 495 to 343 per 100,000 live births).
Infant mortality decreased from 54 to 39 per 100,000 live births, and under-five mortality decreased from 79 to 63 per 1,000 live births.
Over the past two years, the number of women giving birth in health facilities has increased from 69 percent to 94 percent due to the completion and opening of health facilities in the county and investment in community health services.
The county has opened 280 community health facilities, affiliated with 151 public health facilities and five faith-based health facilities.
“Community health workers are the backbone of our health services. The number of visits they made to family households increased from 187,977 in 2022 to 206,420 in 2023.” Nyong'o said.
He said the electronic regional health information system has increased efficiency and improved the quality and consistency of patient care.
Our commitment to efficient data management is evidenced by our success in transferring and storing 100% of community health data in local physical data stores.
Last year, the county piloted the use of Zipline Logistics Company for medical warehousing and storage, leveraging drone technology to deliver emergency medical supplies and replenish out-of-stock medical facilities. .
Since its launch in February 2023, 1,382 deliveries have been made to 24 facilities licensed to fly in Kisumu.
Mr Nyong'o said he was in talks with the National Civil Aviation Authority to expand these services.
