Kenya is set to enhance its health sector management following the launch of a new cooperation framework with the United States, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced.
The agreement allows the Kenyan government to directly oversee US-supported health initiatives, including HIV and TB programmes, marking a major step toward local ownership and accountability.
Under the framework, resources that previously passed through international agencies will now be channelled through government systems, a move aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring that a larger share of funding is directed to frontline services.
Duale highlighted that more than 70 per cent of funds are expected to support actual health service delivery rather than administrative overheads.
A central feature of the deal is the integration of over 28,000 HIV and TB health workers into government employment.
This transition aligns with Kenya’s ongoing efforts to consolidate health personnel under national structures, a move that could strengthen workforce planning and service delivery at both county and national levels.
The framework also prioritises modernising health operations, including upgrading digital platforms for primary healthcare and enhancing the country’s capacity for procuring and distributing essential medical commodities.
Duale emphasised that these steps will lay the foundation for a more sustainable and self-reliant health sector capable of managing donor-supported programmes independently.
Historically, US-backed health programmes in Kenya have relied on external agencies for administration, a model that has often drawn scrutiny over transparency and cost efficiency.
The new framework represents a deliberate policy shift toward local governance, reflecting broader government objectives to streamline public sector management and reinforce county-level healthcare services.
In addition, the agreement strengthens disease surveillance and emergency response systems, enabling Kenya to better anticipate and respond to outbreaks.
Duale stated that the partnership positions the country to fully assume control of these programmes by 2030, supporting long-term planning and reducing dependence on external intermediaries.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that joint technical teams from both governments will monitor the transition process to ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Officials expect gradual implementation, with updates on county-level rollout schedules forthcoming in the coming months.