Kenya has been selected as the first country to implement a new U.S. government-to-government health aid model, marking a major shift from the traditional practice of routing funds through NGOs.
The $1.6 billion (Sh208 billion) Health Cooperation Framework was signed in Washington, D.C., by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in the presence of President William Ruto.
Under the new arrangement, U.S. funding will go directly to Kenya’s public health institutions, supporting medicines, infrastructure, workforce development, and a self-sustaining health system. This approach aims to strengthen Kenya’s national health system while reducing dependence on external NGOs.
Secretary Rubio said Kenya was chosen because of its stable government and strong health institutions. “We are not going to spend millions funding the NGO industrial complex while partners like Kenya have little influence on how health money is spent,” he said.
President Ruto said the framework builds on over 25 years of U.S.-Kenya health cooperation, which has invested more than $7 billion (Sh910 billion) in areas like disease surveillance, HIV treatment, and emergency response. He added that the agreement aligns with his administration’s push for Universal Health Coverage, improving hospital equipment, supply chains, workforce capacity, and health insurance for all.
Rubio also praised Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti mission, noting the country’s role in supporting the transition to a gang suppression force. Ruto confirmed that Kenya will continue contributing personnel and resources to the mission.
The new framework represents a shift toward greater local control, allowing Kenya to manage health resources efficiently and strengthen its public health system for long-term sustainability.
