Kenya’s latest health partnership with the United States has drawn strong backing from Health Principal Secretary Dr. Ouma Oluga, who says the newly signed cooperation framework reflects the country’s long-term interests and the government’s commitment to strengthen public health systems.
PS Dr. Ouma Oluga on Thursday described the agreement as a milestone achieved after months of extensive negotiations between the two governments.
He said that the framework was shaped around the administration’s priorities and the values of Kenyans.
” We proudly and firmly anchored the priorities of the administration and the values of the people of Kenya in the framework that has been signed today,” he said.
The new cooperation was also hailed by President William Ruto as a landmark step toward accelerating the country’s journey to universal health coverage.
“The agreement marks a major milestone in strengthening our shared commitment to the full realisation of UHC,” said president Ruto.
Under the deal, President Ruto said the United States will commit 1.6 billion dollars over the next five years, funds that will be channelled directly through government institutions to guarantee maximum impact, transparency, and accountability.
Dr. Oluga extended his gratitude to President William Ruto for his leadership, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale for his guidance in the government’s unified negotiation approach, and fellow Principal Secretaries whose technical input supported the process.
He also recognised the American delegation led by Brad Smith and the health professionals who contributed detailed expertise throughout the discussions.
“This signing marks the end of months of sometimes very difficult engagements and the start of new era of government-to-government cooperation. It makes meaning having been right at the centre of evaluating the impact of closure of USAID programs,”he said.
Dr. Oluga noted that the new framework comes at a critical moment for the health sector, which has in recent years navigated the implications of shifts in donor funding, including the scaling down of some USAID programmes.
He assured the public that implementation of the agreement will be handled with strict accountability and transparency.
“We shall implement this framework efficiently, effectively and with accountability,” he said.
While details of the cooperation framework were not immediately made public, officials say it will guide future engagements between Nairobi and Washington, with a focus on strengthening health delivery, expanding partnerships and enhancing long-term sector resilience.
