The history of KARI Veterinary Vaccines Production Centre (formerly
Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute, KEVEVAPI) dates
back to 1957 when the Wellcome Foundation financed the establishment
of the Welcome Institute for Research on Foot and Mouth Disease
(WIRFMD). The role of the Institute was to isolate and type FMD
virus strains in Kenya and neighbouring countries. In 1960,the
Government of Kenya (GOK) through a joint venture with the Wellcome
Foundation formed the Vaccine Production Laboratory (VPL), which
started producing Foot and Mouth disease vaccine. Prior to this,
vaccine for control of FMD was being imported from Europe.
Other veterinary vaccines such as Rinderpest (RP), Contagious
Bovine Pleuropnemonia (CBPP) and Contagious Caprine Pleuropnemonia
(CCPP) were being produced at Muguga by the Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute (KARI) while Rabies, Lumpy skin disease (LSD)
and poultry vaccines namely Newcastle Disease; Fowl pox; Turkey
pox, Fowl typhoid were being produced at the Veterinary Research
Laboratories, Kabete under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development.
The Centre (former KEVEVAPI) was established in 1990 as a State
Corporation by an Act of Parliament CAP 446,vide legal Notice
No. 223 of 4th June 1990. At its inception, KEVEVAPI took over
three-vaccine production Laboratories that used to operate independently.
They were:
Vaccine Production Laboratory (VPL) ,Embakasi
This laboratory focused on production of Foot and Mouth Disease
vaccine (FMD). Located at Embakasi, Industrial Area, the laboratory
started producing the vaccine following a Joint Venture Agreement
between Wellcome Foundation and the GOK. In 1989 Coopers Animal
Health Division of Wellcome Foundation worldwide was taken over
by Pitman Moore, thus affecting the Vaccine Production Laboratory
(VPL). Discussions between GOK and Wellcome Foundation led to
the dissolution of the JVA in 1990.
Vaccine Production Unit, Kabete.
This Unit is located at the Veterinary Research Laboratory, Kabete
and was under the management of the Director of Veterinary Services.
The Unit specialized in production of poultry and small animal
vaccines as well as rabies. Production of these vaccines has been
maintained in addition to Rinderpest, CBPP and CCPP which were
originally produced at KARI, Muguga.
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Muguga.
This laboratory used to produce vaccines against Rinderpest, CBPP
and CCPP.
Mandate Of KARI-VVPC
a)
To coordinate and undertake production of veterinary vaccines
in the country.
b)
To market and distribute veterinary vaccines locally and
abroad.
c)
To undertake research, alone or in collaboration, in new
veterinary vaccine production
d)
To develop and produce chemicals, media and laboratory
materials for use in the production of vaccines and other
biological.
e)
To provide information to the field on the suitability
and effectiveness of veterinary vaccines produced and distributed
by the Centre.
Objectives
a)
To produce high quality, affordable veterinary vaccines
for the local and export markets.