Scientists aim to create jobs with Covid vaccine production

Diaspora Kenyan Scientists have kicked off their project that is aimed at producing vaccines and other medicines in Kenya.

In a Zoom meeting on Monday, Diaspora professionals shared their stories of the Diaspora University Town project that is on track to creating what they say will be 20,000 jobs as Sh60 billion is to be put into Taita Taveta county.

“We started working on the project in the mid 2000s. This will be a project-based learning similar to WPI University. WPI has project centers all over the world. Diaspora University will have project centers in the 47 Counties of Kenya,” Dr.Wilson Endege of Boston said.

Other Diaspora Kenyans working on the project are; Dr. Benson Edagwa in Nebraska; Dr. Phillip Mwalali in Raleigh, Dr. David Ogoli in Riverside, CA; Dr. Benjamin Mogesa in PA; Dr. Benard Ayanga of Houston, TX; Dr. Edwn Njagi in Netherlands, EU, RN Susan Konchellah in Minnesota, RN Bui Thuo in Perris, CA and Dan Kamau in Voi Kenya.

Phillip Mwalali, a Medical Doctor said the plan incorporates University education, a hospital and medical services at Diaspora University Town site.

He said the DUT medical services and Covid-19 protocols have started.

“We shall start with an urgent care clinic and grow to a full hospital that meets the medical needs of Kenyans. The plan involves all areas of health: Treatment, Medicine, Diagnostics, Elderly care and all health services.”

Medical Doctor in the Netherlands Edwin Njagi said he is working on the Blood Bank.

He said the Blood Bank plan of the Diaspora University Medical Hospital will encourage blood donation, ensure that blood is donated safely, preserve the blood the right way and the administration to patients safely and securely.

Scientist and an associate professor Benson Edagwa, said he is working on Malaria, HIV, TB, and other medicines.

He said that the HIV products he is working on could lead to patients having one dose every six month as opposed to the daily or weekly doses.

"We are ready to produce the medicine and vaccines needed in Kenya.”

Diaspora University Trust Executive Trustee and Project Director Dan Kamau showed the project plan as currently setup.

He said the project has started creating jobs adding that the project has received Sh 60 billion offers.

Talking more on finance, Dan said the Government can be of assistance in facilitating jobs creation for Kenyans.

“There is money looking for work. Our project is ready and can take in Sh60 billion. The government can connect private projects to available finance, so jobs are created,” he said.

Dan said the project is aimed at creating 20,000 Jobs ; 30,000 Residents Town with 6,000 Town Houses; a University with a Sh 20 billion Endowment; a Hospital with all departments and Specialty Clinics among others.