Washington, D.C. – Kenya and the United States have signed a landmark Health Cooperation Framework that is set to significantly strengthen Kenya’s journey toward achieving universal health coverage (UHC). The agreement was witnessed by President William Ruto during his official visit to Washington, D.C., and marks the most consequential health partnership between the two nations in more than two decades.
The transformative framework will prioritise the supply of modern medical equipment to public hospitals, streamline the delivery of essential health commodities, upscale Kenya’s health workforce, and expand health insurance to ensure that every Kenyan is protected.
Under the pact, the United States will commit USD 1.6 billion to Kenya over the next five years. The funds will be channelled directly through government institutions, eliminating third-party intermediaries and ensuring that support reaches the intended beneficiaries with maximum impact, transparency and accountability.
President Ruto hailed the agreement as a bold step toward modernising the country’s healthcare system and accelerating efforts to guarantee equitable access to quality medical services.
“The signing of this Framework marks a significant strengthening of our commitment to the full actualisation of universal health coverage,” he said.
Kenya expressed deep appreciation to the US Government, led by President Donald J. Trump, for selecting Kenya as the first country to enter into such a comprehensive health cooperation arrangement. Officials noted that the move reflects growing international confidence in Kenya’s reform agenda and the resilience of its healthcare systems.
The agreement was formally signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
This new partnership builds on more than 25 years of health cooperation between the two countries. Over that period, the United States has invested more than USD 7 billion into Kenya’s health sector through various bilateral programmes—including critical support for HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, emergency response and health systems strengthening.
The Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework is expected to usher in a new era of results-driven collaboration, focused on efficiency, sustainability and improved health outcomes for millions of Kenyans.
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