Principal Secretary for National Treasury Chris Kiptoo confirmed Kenya has entered into a Health Cooperation Partnership with the United States of America.
In a statement released on Monday, June 8, Kiptoo said the agreement will run for five years and is valued at USD 1.6 billion (Ksh 207.4 billion). He noted that the programme will support disease surveillance and outbreak response, strengthen laboratory systems, improve health commodities supply, support the transition of the frontline health workforce, and advance digital health systems.
Kiptoo said the partnership will also back priority health programmes in Kenya, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, maternal and child health, polio eradication, and infectious disease outbreak response and preparedness.
The funding will go toward medical equipment, the delivery of health commodities, and efforts to expand the health workforce.
For its part, the government of Kenya pledged to increase domestic health spending by Ksh 109 billion (USD 850 million).
The principal secretary hosted a delegation of U.S. officials at his office, including Susan Burns, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya. He said the meeting reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to deepening economic cooperation, strengthening trade and investment ties, and building on their long-standing partnership.
Kiptoo acknowledged that U.S. companies operating in Kenya continue to make a significant contribution to job creation.
He said the firms also promote skills development and support investment and economic growth, a reflection of the strong economic ties between Kenya and the United States.
The deal was finalized after the Court of Appeal lifted orders from the High Court that had blocked Kenya from implementing it.
