Nairobi — Kenya has secured major health, economic and diplomatic gains following President William Ruto’s official visit to the United States, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed has said.
In a statement released after the trip, Hussein outlined what he termed as “key wins” that firmly position Kenya as a strategic partner to the U.S., while easing pressure on public finances and strengthening vital sectors of the economy.
Top of the list is a historic $1.6 billion Kenya–U.S. Health Cooperation Framework, secured as a grant, not a loan. The funding will support the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and enhance emergency health response systems.
According to State House, the agreement reflects growing U.S. confidence in Kenya’s health reforms, particularly the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and the transition to sustainable, locally owned health systems.
In another major policy shift, the United States will now channel health funding directly to Government of Kenya institutions, ending decades of reliance on parallel NGO-led delivery models.
The funds will support key institutions and programmes including the Social Health Authority (SHA), KEMSA, laboratories, disease surveillance, digital health systems, and the health workforce. The move is expected to improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and ensure better value for money.
“This is a vote of confidence in Kenya’s public institutions and governance systems,” the statement noted.
Beyond health, Kenya also clinched significant economic and strategic commitments:
- A $1 billion debt-for-food security swap with the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC), aimed at easing debt pressure while expanding food security programmes.
- Launch of a new U.S.–Kenya trade and investment framework, set to deepen commercial ties and unlock private sector opportunities.
- Interest from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Kenya’s Infrastructure Fund, including plans around JKIA modernisation and clean energy projects.
State House said the engagements firmly positioned Kenya as a core U.S. strategic partner in regional peace, security and diplomacy, particularly across Eastern Africa.
The outcomes of the visit, Hussein Mohammed stated, underline Kenya’s rising global standing and the dividends of proactive economic diplomacy under President Ruto’s leadership.
“Kenya is no longer just engaging — it is shaping partnerships that deliver real results for wananchi,” the statement concluded.
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