Kenya and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in health system strengthening, following a high-level meeting between Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Kenya, H.E. Susan M. Burns.
The talks focused on advancing collaboration under the newly launched America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS), a framework designed to sustain and expand the achievements of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).Since its inception, PEPFAR has saved more than 26 million lives globally and prevented 7.8 million children from being born with HIV/AIDS, significantly easing the disease burden in Kenya and across Africa.
The discussions also touched on regional health concerns, particularly in the Horn of Africa, where both countries highlighted the need for stronger partnerships to confront cross-border health challenges. By emphasizing joint responses, Kenya and the U.S. aim to boost resilience against public health threats and promote sustainable development in the region.
During the meeting, the United States pledged continued support for Kenya’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a central pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The Ministry of Health, on its part, underscored its commitment to reforms, innovation and global partnerships that enhance service delivery and improve citizens’ well-being.
“This partnership demonstrates the value of collaboration in addressing pressing health challenges. We remain committed to reforms and innovations that will strengthen our systems and safeguard the health of all Kenyans,” Hon. Duale noted.
H.E. Burns reaffirmed Washington’s support, stressing the importance of sustainable solutions that will have long-term benefits for Kenya and the wider region.
Hon. Duale was accompanied by Mr. Tim Trenkle, Political Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, during the discussions that further cemented Kenya-U.S. relations in health diplomacy.
The renewed commitment signals a shared vision: a healthier Kenya, supported by strategic global alliances and resilient systems capable of addressing today’s and tomorrow’s health challenges.
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