Washington, D.C.—Kenya and the United States on Wednesday sealed a landmark five-year Health Cooperation Framework worth US$1.6 billion (approximately Ksh207 billion), marking the first such bilateral agreement signed by the Trump administration with any country.
The deal, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, will channel resources directly through Kenyan government institutions, bypassing third-party intermediaries to ensure transparency and maximum impact.
President William Ruto, who led the Kenyan delegation, hailed the agreement as a turning point in Kenya’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “This transformative framework prioritises modern medical equipment for our hospitals, timely delivery of essential health commodities, upscaling of our health workforce, and expansion of health insurance so that every Kenyan is protected,” President Ruto said.
The President noted that the direct funding mechanism reflects growing international confidence in Kenya’s healthcare reforms and institutional strength. “We are deeply grateful to the Government of the United States, under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, for choosing Kenya as the first nation to sign such a Framework,” he added.
With H.E. President @WilliamsRuto leading the Kenyan delegation, we witnessed the signing of the Kenya–U.S. Health Cooperation Framework in Washington, D.C., a landmark agreement endorsed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. @MusaliaMudavadi.… pic.twitter.com/q7s4blajcG
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) December 4, 2025
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale described the agreement as a major boost to Kenya’s Social Health Authority (SHA) rollout and community health programmes. “This partnership will strengthen health systems, research, and capacity building, bringing quality care closer to every citizen,” Duale stated.
The new framework builds on more than 25 years of health cooperation between the two nations, during which the U.S. has invested over US$7 billion in Kenya’s health sector, primarily in HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and health systems strengthening.
Key priorities under the 2025–2030 agreement include equipping hospitals with modern diagnostic and treatment technology, expanding training and deployment of Community Health Promoters, and supporting the nationwide rollout of the Social Health Authority to replace the National Health Insurance Fund.
The signing ceremony, held at the U.S. Department of State, underscores deepening bilateral ties and shared commitment to achieving sustainable, equitable healthcare for all Kenyans.
