Kenya became the first country to enter a new series of “America First” global health cooperation agreements following the signing of a five-year, multi-billion-dollar framework with the United States.
The Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework was signed in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, December 4, 2025, by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, with President William Ruto issuing a formal statement confirming the deal.
“We are delighted to sign this landmark agreement with Kenya, a longstanding American ally. As Secretary Rubio has emphasized, foreign assistance is a tool of American diplomacy and statecraft, and every dollar we spend on it must be directly justified on those terms,” said Jeremy P. Lewin, Senior Official for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom.
Valued at $2.5 billion, the five-year framework replaces previous U.S.-funded health arrangements that had largely been implemented through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which the Trump administration disbanded earlier this year.
Safeguards Set for Health Data Sharing in Kenya–US Deal
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale assured Kenyans that the country’s health data remains fully protected under the new U.S.–Kenya Framework, noting that all information sharing is governed strictly by Kenyan law.
“Under the new U.S.-Kenya Framework, all data sharing follows Kenyan laws,” read part of the statement.
Duale said health data is a “national strategic asset,” noting that only de-identified and aggregated datasets can be shared.
“Your health data is a national strategic asset,” he stated.
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He added that any approvals must be cleared up by both the Digital Health Authority (DHA) and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, with the Digital Health Act and the Data Protection Act applying in full.
Leaders Detail Benefits of the New Kenya–US Health Partnership
According to a statement, the new Kenya–US deal is intended to strengthen Kenya’s health system and make America safer for its citizens.
“The Governments of the United States and the Republic of Kenya today signed a five-year, $2.5 billion Health Cooperation Framework that outlines a comprehensive vision to save lives, strengthen Kenya’s health system, and make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” read part of the statement.
Jeremy Lewin appreciated Kenya’s acceptance of the partnership, noting that it will help improve health in both countries. “We appreciate Kenya’s partnership and look forward to our continued work together advancing their health goals and our broader shared interests,” he stated.
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President William Ruto also confirmed Kenya’s motive to improve its health services, highlighting that both Kenya and the U.S. share a common interest in the well-being of their citizens.
“The Kenyan government is already expanding essential health services to all Kenyans and increasing domestic health financing through the Social Health Authority (SHA). Kenyan and United States’ commitments in the Framework are thus fully aligned and mutually beneficial,” said His Excellency, Kenya’s President Dr. William S. Ruto.
“Kenya welcomes this partnership and the co-investment it represents, ” said Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
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