Kenya, US to establish joint taskforce to advance universal health coverage reforms
By Cy Muganda, August 27, 2025Kenya and the United States have agreed to form a joint technical working group to strengthen Universal Health Coverage (UHC) delivery and enhance resilience against health threats as the two countries deepen their health partnership.
In a statement posted on its X account on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, the Ministry of Health confirmed this agreement, which emerged from discussions between Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, and a US delegation led by the newly appointed Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy, Susan Burns.
“Today, the Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale and National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary Hon. John Mbadi engaged a US delegation led by Ms. Susan Burns, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy, at the National Treasury in Nairobi,” the statement read.
During the engagement, Duale emphasised ongoing reforms within Kenya’s health sector, particularly addressing recent reports of fraud within the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“Duale underscored reforms including health system digitisation, elimination of unqualified practitioners, and a crackdown on fraud within the Social Health Authority (SHA),” the statement detailed.
Collaborative focus on health
The Ministry also reported that the meeting at the National Treasury in Nairobi focused on exploring new areas of collaboration with the United States to strengthen Universal Health Coverage.
“The Government of Kenya is exploring new areas of collaboration with the United States to strengthen Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” the Ministry stated.
Discussions also centred on key aspects of health system development and financing, focusing on sustainable health financing and strengthening health systems under the Global Health Security (GHS) framework, with Kenya identified as a priority partner.
“Talks focused on sustainable health financing, health system strengthening, and joint action under the Global Health Security (GHS) framework, with Kenya identified as a priority partner,” the statement noted.
Working group
To formalise this partnership, the Ministry announced that both governments agreed to establish a technical working group to oversee collaborative efforts.
“Both governments reaffirmed their commitment by agreeing to form a Joint Technical Working Group to enhance UHC delivery and resilience against health threats,” the Ministry stated.
The discussions were supported by several senior government officials, including Principal Secretaries Ouma Oluga (Medical Services), Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), and Chris Kiptoo (National Treasury), among others.
