Kenya, US sign Ksh206B health grant to strengthen healthcare system
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, July 15, 2026Kenya and the United States have signed a £1.6 billion government-to-government (G2G) health grant aimed at strengthening the country’s healthcare system and deepening bilateral cooperation in the health sector.
The agreement was signed at the National Treasury Building in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, and US Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns.
The grant is expected to support key health programmes and reinforce ongoing collaboration between the two countries in improving healthcare delivery across Kenya.
Writing on X after the meeting, Treasury CS Mbadi said the agreement reflects the enduring partnership between Nairobi and Washington.
“With US Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, we signed a £1.6B health grant at the National Treasury Building. This G2G deal aims to strengthen Kenya’s health system, reaffirming our close ties with the United States,” Mbadi stated.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale was also present during the signing ceremony, underscoring the Ministry of Health’s role in implementing programmes that will benefit from the funding.
The government said the grant will help bolster Kenya’s health system as it continues implementing reforms aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services, improving health infrastructure, and enhancing service delivery.
The latest agreement also highlights the longstanding cooperation between Kenya and the United States in the health sector, where the two countries have partnered on initiatives targeting disease prevention, health financing, workforce development, and improved medical services.
The signing comes as Kenya continues to seek strategic partnerships to strengthen its healthcare system and accelerate the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with the government maintaining that collaboration with development partners remains key to achieving sustainable health outcomes.
Kenya-US health deal challenged in court
The government issued the green light for the health deal rollout in June 2026 after being temporarily frozen by the High Court over public participation and data privacy concerns.
Kenya’s High Court suspended the implementation of the country’s Memorandum of Understanding with the United States after two separate court challenges by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) and local senator Okiya Omtatah.
COFEK argues that the agreement contravenes Kenya’s Data Protection Act, Digital Health Act, Health Act, and new data regulations that protect citizens’ health data.
Meanwhile, Omtatah petitioned the court to halt the agreement because it undermines the principles of public participation and parliamentary oversight and binds Kenya to terms that could strain the country’s budget.