Kenya has become the first African country to sign a government-to-government health framework with the United States, marking a major milestone in advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). President William Ruto witnessed the signing of the agreement on Thursday, which will see the U.S. invest 1.6 billion USD (approximately Ksh.207 billion) in Kenya’s health system over the next five years.
What Does the New Health Funding Agreement Involve?
Unlike previous donor-led programs, this framework channels U.S. funds directly into Kenya’s national systems, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), Digital Health Authority (DHA), Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), IFMIS, the Ministry of Health, and the National Public Health Institute.
“The new Cooperation Framework builds on these successes but introduces a transition model from donor-driven systems to government-led, self-reliant and sustainable national health systems, aligned with Kenya Vision 2030 and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) under the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) priorities,” the statement read.
The agreement also aligns with the America First Global Health Strategy (Sept 2025), which focuses on efficiency, reducing dependency, stronger bilateral agreements, and promoting shared American and Kenyan interests. Under the arrangement, Kenya and the U.S. will jointly manage investments aimed at eliminating HIV, TB, and malaria, strengthening outbreak response, and accelerating Kenya’s transition to self-reliant health systems by 2030.
How Will Kenya Benefit and Contribute?
As part of the framework, Kenya will gradually increase its own health budget, starting with an additional Ksh.10 billion in the 2026–2027 financial year and scaling up to Ksh.50 billion by 2029–2030. The government will also absorb more than 13,800 U.S.-funded health workers by 2028 and assume full responsibility for key health commodities by 2031.
According to the Ministry of Health, the model is designed to strengthen Kenya’s health sovereignty, reduce donor dependency, and enhance efficiency and accountability in health spending. The framework will also expand national surveillance systems and emergency preparedness through the National Public Health Institute.
This landmark development coincides with President Ruto’s visit to Washington, DC, where he also witnessed the Democratic Republic of the Congo-Rwanda Peace Agreement signing and met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to discuss opportunities for Kenya’s economic growth.
The agreement signals a new era in Kenya-U.S. health cooperation, placing Kenya on a path toward sustainable, government-led health systems while tackling critical public health challenges.
By Lucky Anyanje