Kenya and the United States have entered into a new Health Cooperation Partnership valued at USD 1.6 billion (approximately Ksh207.4 billion), in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare systems over the next five years.
Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, Chris Kiptoo, confirmed the agreement in a statement issued on Monday, June 8, noting that the programme will support key public health priorities including disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory systems strengthening, and digital health infrastructure.
According to the PS, the partnership will also focus on improving health commodity supply chains, transitioning frontline health workforce systems, and reinforcing Kenya’s capacity to respond to infectious disease threats.
“We have reached an agreement on the implementation of the Kenya–U.S. Health Cooperation Partnership, a five-year programme valued at USD 1.6 billion,” Kiptoo said.
The programme will channel resources into major disease control efforts, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health services, polio eradication, and broader epidemic preparedness and response mechanisms.
It will also support the supply of essential medical equipment, strengthening of diagnostic systems, and expansion of healthcare workforce capacity across the country.
On its part, the Government of Kenya has committed to increasing domestic health expenditure by Ksh109 billion (approximately USD 850 million), in what officials say is part of a broader strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce reliance on external funding.
PS Kiptoo hosted a delegation of United States officials at his office, including Susan Burns, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, where the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
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“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to deepening economic cooperation, strengthening trade and investment ties and advancing the longstanding partnership between our two countries,” he said.
He further noted that American companies operating in Kenya continue to play a significant role in job creation, skills development, and investment growth, contributing to broader economic transformation.
The agreement follows a legal process that had previously delayed implementation, after the Court of Appeal lifted orders from the High Court that had blocked the deal, clearing the way for execution of the partnership.
The development is expected to significantly bolster Kenya’s health sector financing and reinforce collaboration between Nairobi and Washington on global health security and pandemic preparedness.
