Kenya Elected Vice President of IVI Global Council as Biovax Joins Board of Trustees

Kenya has been elected Vice President of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Global Council, with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) representing the country. In a parallel vote held in Manila, Philippines, the Kenya Biovax Institute was also elected to the IVI Board of Trustees. The elections took place during the IVI Global Council meeting, positioning Kenya at the center of global vaccine policy, research, and manufacturing strategy.

Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General and CEO, KEMRI, accepted the Vice Presidency on behalf of Kenya and KEMRI, while Dr. Wesley Ronoh, CEO, Kenya Biovax Institute, delivered the acceptance speech for the Board of Trustees seat.

“This Vice Presidency is not just an honor for KEMRI — it is a vote of confidence in Kenya’s scientific leadership. We will use this platform to champion equitable access to vaccines, amplify Africa’s research priorities, and accelerate partnerships that move us from dependency to local production. Kenya stands ready to help shape a healthier, more prepared world.”_ Prof. Elijah Songok, Acting Director General and CEO, KEMRI said in his acceptance speech.

Prof. Songok was elected to the Vice-President because of his extensive experience and leadership in medical research, particularly in the realm of public health and infectious diseases, making him an exceptionally qualified candidate for this vital role.

Due to the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prof Songok has been leading KEMRI’s efforts for local vaccine manufacturing. This includes the KEMRI’s formation of Kenya Biovax Institute, epidemiological surveillance and pathogen genotyping, strengthening of local clinical trials sites, and recently the elevation of KEMRI to be Kenya’s and regional centre of workforce training for vaccine and drug development.

Kenya’s commitment to global health initiatives and vaccine development has been significantly strengthened since Kenya’s accession to the IVI Establishment Agreement in June 2024. This collaboration has already yielded concrete results, including the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish and operationalize the IVI Kenya Country Office and the Advanced Vaccine End-toEnd Capabilities (AVEC) Africa Project Office in Nairobi. These developments underscore Kenya’s dedication to fostering vaccine research and development on the African continent and beyond.

Professor Songok has been instrumental in advancing these collaborations and his deep understanding of the needs and challenges in vaccine research and equitable access will be invaluable to the Global Council. His leadership would undoubtedly contribute significantly to the Council’s mandate of discussing critical issues, identifying solutions, and advising the IVI leadership on strategic direction.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Wesley Ronoh, CEO, Kenya Biovax Institute, said “Biovax is humbled to join the IVI Board of Trustees at this critical moment for global health. Our mandate is clear: turn science into doses, and doses into protection for our people. Sitting on the Board allows Kenya to directly influence vaccine development pipelines and ensure innovations reach the communities that need them most — faster and affordably.”

The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) is an international organization devoted to vaccines for global health, headquartered in Seoul with a mandate to discover, develop, and deliver safe, effective, and affordable vaccines. The Global Council guides IVI’s strategic direction, while the Board of Trustees provides governance and fiduciary oversight. Kenya’s dual election reflects growing recognition of the country’s investments in health research through KEMRI and in local vaccine manufacturing through Kenya Biovax Institute. The appointments are expected to strengthen South-South collaboration, technology transfer, and pandemic preparedness across Africa.

In June 5th, 2024, His Excellency the President, Dr. William Ruto, announced that the Republic of Kenya has officially joined the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as a Member State Party at the organization’s headquarters in Seoul, Korea. President Ruto said that Kenya’s accession to the IVI strengthens the nation’s resolve to achieve self-reliance in vaccine production. During the ceremony, President Ruto also raised the Kenyan flag, and then the National Anthem was played. Kenya, through KEMRI, will use this position at IVI to enhance advocacy, providing strong leadership as the AU-designated Local Manufacturing Champion State and the leading regional pharmaceutical, R&D & Innovation, emerging biomanufacturing & supply hub hosting a WHO regional hub.