Africa-Press – Kenya. Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga has described the newly signed Kenya–United States Health Cooperation Framework as a “game changer” expected to strengthen Kenya’s health financing and service delivery systems.
The Sh208 billion agreement, signed in Washington, D.C., follows months of high-level negotiations between the two governments.
Under the five-year framework, the United States will invest in key government health institutions, including the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Digital Health Agency (DHA), and the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (Kemsa).
Oluga, who led the Kenyan delegation during the negotiations, called the pact a landmark achievement that aligns with ongoing health sector reforms.
“It has been a great honour leading the Kenyan team in the negotiations with the American team,” Dr Oluga said during Thursday’s signing ceremony.
In a statement, he emphasised that the talks were guided by Kenya’s interests, aiming to secure long-term funding certainty for critical health programmes.
“The engagements which began on 27th August 2025 have culminated in this signing today. We promoted the best interests of our people, ensuring critical service certainty and alignment with the government’s health agenda. This cooperation framework represents a departure from previous approaches and is expected to have a lasting impact on health for all,” he said.
Oluga explained that the framework goes beyond traditional aid models by incorporating mutual accountability, domestic financing commitments, and long-term planning to ensure stability and uninterrupted health services.
“We shall implement this framework efficiently, effectively, and with accountability,” he added.
The agreement establishes a long-term partnership focusing on health financing, primary healthcare, and the delivery of essential services. It also includes provisions for co-investment, capacity building, and predictable support for priority health programmes.
Oluga described the signing as one of the most significant Kenya–US health agreements in recent years, highlighting the deepening cooperation between the two countries.
He noted that the framework’s comprehensive scope is expected to influence health outcomes, particularly in primary healthcare, disease prevention, and workforce development.
President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing alongside his US counterpart Donald Trump, welcomed the partnership, noting its alignment with Kenya’s efforts to expand essential services and mobilise domestic resources through the SHA.
“The government is already expanding essential health services and increasing domestic health financing through the Social Health Authority,” President Ruto said.
“The commitments in the Framework are fully aligned and mutually beneficial.”
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale echoed the President’s remarks, describing the partnership as a new chapter in Kenya–US collaboration in the health sector.
“Kenya welcomes this partnership and the co-investment it represents,” he said.
The deal is expected to support sustainability for health programmes that have previously relied on short-term donor funding.
With the SHA serving as the central platform for Universal Health Coverage (UHC), the framework reinforces Kenya’s goal of providing equitable access to quality healthcare.
As the SHA expands and essential health services are rolled out nationwide, the cooperation with the United States is poised to play a central role in advancing Kenya’s vision of UHC for all.
