Kenya has signed a historic five-year health agreement with the US, aimed at combating infectious diseases in the country.
The deal, worth $2.5 billion, is the first of its kind since the Trump administration overhauled its foreign aid program.
The US will contribute $1.7 billion, while the Kenyan government will cover $850 million, with plans to gradually take on more responsibility.
The agreement focuses on preventing and treating diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as maternal care, polio eradication, and infectious disease outbreak response and preparedness.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the deal as a “landmark agreement,” praising Kenya’s role in leading and contributing to the UN-backed mission in Haiti.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential sharing of sensitive patient data, with some Kenyans demanding the disclosure of the full agreement.
Health Minister Aden Duale assured that only de-identified, aggregated data would be shared, and that Kenya’s health data is protected by national laws.
The deal is part of the Trump administration’s “America First Global Health Strategy,” which prioritizes combating infectious diseases in countries aligned with US foreign policy goals.
Similar agreements are expected to be signed with other African countries by the end of the year.
