The United States and Kenya have signed a landmark global health agreement, marking the first of several anticipated “America First” deals. This partnership is part of the Trump administration’s overhaul of foreign aid, aiming to empower poorer nations to take a more significant role in combating diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio.
The five-year, $2.5 billion agreement replaces previous arrangements and will transfer US funding from non-governmental organizations to the Kenyan government. This shift will enable the Kenyan government to gradually assume responsibility for health workers initially funded by the US. Furthermore, Kenya has pledged to increase its own health spending by $850 million over the five-year period.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the importance of self-sustainability, stating that true assistance lies in building the ability to sustain oneself in the long term. Kenyan President William Ruto welcomed the partnership, citing its contribution to his administration’s efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance the health workforce, and provide universal health coverage.
The agreement has sparked interest, with other African countries expected to sign similar deals in the coming days. However, some nations, such as Nigeria and South Africa, may not be part of this group due to political differences with the Trump administration.
The dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as a separate agency has been met with criticism from the global health community. The resulting defunding of various programs in developing nations has affected initiatives related to maternal and childcare, nutrition, and anti-HIV/AIDS efforts.
This new agreement signals a significant shift in the US approach to global health assistance, emphasizing partnerships and self-sustainability. As the US and Kenya move forward with this initiative, the international community will be watching to see how this approach plays out and whether other countries will follow suit. The success of this partnership may have implications for the future of global health aid and international development.