Kenya, US seal Sh218 billion health pact

JOSEPH NG’ANG’A -KNA

Kenya and the United States have sealed a Sh218 billion health partnership, ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation anchored on transparency, accountability and shared responsibility.

The Strategic Objective Agreement (SOAG) for Health, signed at the National Treasury headquarters in Nairobi, commits Sh218billion in U.S. funding alongside Sh110 billion in Kenyan co-investment, bringing the total investment to Sh328 billion for the strengthening of the country’s health sector between 2026 and 2032.

The agreement, witnessed by senior government officials from both countries, marks a significant shift from donorfunded projects managed through third-party agencies to a direct government-to-government (G2G) financing model.

National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns signed the agreement in the presence of Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who described the pact as a milestone in Kenya-U.S. relations.

Duale said the new arrangement would support key health institutions and programmes, including cancer care services, the Kenya National Public Health Institute, the Digital Health Superhighway, and interventions targeting HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

He noted that channelling funds directly through the Treasury and Parliament would enhance visibility, strengthen oversight, and ensure accountability.

“For many years, U.S.- Kenya health cooperation was implemented through partner agencies. Today, everything is government-to-government,” he declared.

Mbadi described the agreement as a landmark in Kenya’s health financing journey, pointing out that Kenya is the first country to adopt the new model. He explained that previous donor frameworks often lacked clarity, complicating planning for both the Treasury and the Ministry of Health. 

“Now we have full visibility as the National Treasury, while the implementing ministry also has full accountability.

At the click of a button, we can know how much is being spent with the support of our partners,” he said, assuring development partners that ongoing public finance reforms would guarantee transparency and prudent management of the funds.

Burns praised the collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the National Treasury, and the Office of the Attorney General, describing the SOAG as the first strategic objective agreement under the new Kenya-US Health Cooperation Framework.

She said the partnership reflects a transition from traditional donor assistance to shared responsibility.

“We are trying to transition to a new model of assistance that is really about shared responsibility and close collaboration,” she remarked.

Burns recalled that Kenya and the United States have worked together for decades to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, saving more than one million lives through HIV interventions alone.

She added that the new agreement would support Kenya’s vision of strengthening health systems, expanding digital health services, improving efficiency and ensuring continued access to quality healthcare.

The SOAG outlines shared priorities, financing arrangements, implementation targets, and performance measures to guide joint interventions while reinforcing mutual accountability.

Key areas of cooperation include reforms at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), strengthening the Kenya National Public Health Institute, expanding digital health services, improving supply chain resilience, enhancing institutional capacity and supporting programmes targeting HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.

The framework also seeks to advance Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda under Taifa Care, focusing on disease prevention, improved service delivery and building a resilient, self-sustaining healthcare system.

The signing ceremony was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, and other senior officials.