Kenya has entered into a five-year Health Cooperation Partnership with the United States worth USD 1.6 billion (about Ksh207.4 billion), following the completion of a bilateral agreement between the two countries.
According to the National Treasury, the programme is designed to strengthen Kenya’s health system through support in key areas including disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory capacity building, health commodities supply, and the transition of the frontline health workforce.
It will also enhance digital health systems across the country.
Kenya secures major US-backed health funding deal. Photo: Courtesy.
The partnership will further support major public health programmes such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria control, maternal and child health services, polio eradication efforts, and preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks.
It also includes provisions for the supply of medical equipment and expansion of essential health services.
Under the agreement, Kenya has also committed to increasing its domestic health expenditure by Ksh109 billion (approximately USD 850 million) to complement the support provided through the programme.
The deal follows consultations between Kenyan officials and a visiting United States delegation led by senior representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
The discussions focused on strengthening long-standing economic cooperation, enhancing trade and investment relations, and reinforcing bilateral ties between the two countries.
Officials noted that U.S. companies operating in Kenya continue to play a key role in job creation, skills development, and overall economic growth, contributing to the broader partnership between the two nations.
The finalization of the agreement also comes after the Court of Appeal lifted earlier High Court orders that had temporarily halted its implementation, clearing the way for the programme to proceed.
