By Lenah Bosibori
Health Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kenya are raising an urgent call to the Kenyan government to prioritize GAVI co-financing obligations for the current financial year in order to ensure a consistent vaccine supply, which is crucial for retaining the immunization gains Kenya has made.
Speaking in Nairobi during the Editors Guild on Reporting for Immunization and Public Health Care, Dr. Margaret Lubaale, Executive Director of the Healthy NGOs Network, highlighted the need for a steady vaccine supply. “We cannot afford to react every time we experience a stockout. It’s crucial to ensure continuity,” she said.
Dr. Lubaale further explained that the co-financing policy between Kenya and GAVI is designed to help the country gradually transition out of donor funding. “Unlike other donors who pull out without warning, GAVI is providing Kenya with a ‘soft landing,’ allowing us to phase out their support by 2029,” she noted.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccinees prevent millions of deaths annually and Kenya’s success stories speak volumes. Most Kenyans are beneficiaries of these vaccines. Immunization has been a game-changer in public health from eradicating smallpox to significantly reducing polio and measles cases
The co-financing agreement initially proposed that GAVI would exit by 2027, but due to further considerations, this was extended to 2029. The co-financing arrangement is structured so that as Kenya increases its contribution, GAVI’s support decreases. Ideally, GAVI would gradually reduce its share from 80% to zero, and Kenya would take on full responsibility for immunization financing.
However, this transition has not been without challenges. While there was notable progress in meeting co-financing obligations between 2015 and 2017, issues like delayed disbursements have created uncertainties, threatening the consistency of vaccine supplies.
The Urgent Financial Gap
The Kenyan government faces a looming challenge. For FY 2024/2025, the pending co-financing obligations amount to Ksh. 1.25 billion ($12.5 million) for 6,461,595 doses of various vaccines. The deadline for payment is June 30, 2025. Failure to meet this obligation risks interrupting vaccine supplies, which could lead to stockouts and leave millions of children unprotected.
“The timely payment of previous co-financing obligations has been key to sustaining immunization progress,” said Dr. Lubaale. Despite achieving over 80% vaccination coverage and reducing zero-dose children, the country’s gains are at risk if the government does not act swiftly.
Kenya’s immunization progress has been commendable, but there are growing concerns regarding the impact of delayed disbursements. In 2024, for instance, a stockout occurred due to delayed payment of the co-financing amount. Following advocacy efforts from CSOs and media, the government made a payment, which led to vaccines being delivered.
In October, Kenya conducted two rounds of polio vaccination, reaching over 3.4 million children during the first round alone. However, without timely co-financing, these children could have missed their vaccinations, putting them at risk.
“We need to preempt these challenges now to avoid potential vaccine shortages,” Dr. Lubaale stressed. The procurement process for vaccines takes several months, meaning that any delay in disbursements could lead to a lack of supply for up to three months, potentially disrupting immunization services.
Health CSOs are urging the Kenyan government to ring-fence the co-financing funds, ensuring that the money is protected within the budget as part of the commitment made in the contract between Kenya and GAVI. This will demonstrate the government’s commitment to fully financing immunization from domestic resources and reducing reliance on external donors.
“We need a clear and consistent payment plan for the 2024/2025 co-financing obligation,” Dr. Lubaale said. “This is the only way to avoid the disruptions that could put millions of children’s lives at risk.”
Beyond meeting the current financial obligations, Kenya must adopt a sustainable immunization financing model, especially as GAVI and other donors prepare to phase out their support by 2029. The Ministry of Health must accelerate efforts to secure domestic funding for immunization beyond 2028, ensuring long-term sustainability.
Additionally, greater collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and international partners is essential to strengthen immunization services across the country. The government must substantially increase its budget allocations for immunization programs to maintain and expand coverage. According to UNICEF, Kenya must increase its immunization financing by at least 30% over the next five years to maintain and expand coverage.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Non-adherence to the co-financing obligations could have severe consequences for the country’s health system. If GAVI pulls out prematurely, Kenya may face difficulties in vaccine procurement and distribution, jeopardizing immunization gains and leaving children vulnerable to preventable diseases.
“We cannot afford to roll back the progress we have made in immunization,” warned Dr. Lubaale. “If we begin to lose children to preventable diseases, it will signal the failure of our primary healthcare system and undermine the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.”
Kenya must prioritize its commitment to immunization and ensure that the health and well-being of its children remain a top priority. As Dr. Lubaale pointed out, “If we are a society that neglects its children, then what does that say about us as a nation?”
In conclusion, Health CSOs are urging the Ministry of Health and the National Treasury to make good on their promises to GAVI. With the right political will and commitment, Kenya can continue to protect its children and ensure that immunization programs remain strong and sustainable.
“We know that resources can be found if there is political will,” Dr. Lubaale said. “It is time for the government to act now.