NEW YORK, US — Kenya is set to deepen its health-sector partnership with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, with the collaboration expected to support key government health agencies and pave the way for a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Garissa.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said he joined President William Ruto in discussions with Prof. Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the foundation, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The talks focused on elevating the existing partnership to a strategic level, with support targeting the Social Health Authority (SHA), Digital Health Agency (DHA) and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
Partnership to Support SHA, DHA and KEMSA
Duale said the expanded partnership would provide additional support to the three agencies as they implement reforms in Kenya’s health system.
“The elevation of this partnership to a strategic level will provide greater support to the Social Health Authority (SHA), Digital Health Agency and KEMSA as they advance their respective mandates,” Duale said.
The collaboration comes as the Government continues to restructure healthcare financing, digitise health services and strengthen the supply of medicines and other essential commodities.
Garissa to Get Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre
Duale said the partnership would also facilitate the establishment of a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Garissa.
The facility is expected to expand access to specialised services for people requiring treatment and rehabilitation for substance-use disorders in the region.
The proposed centre would add to efforts to expand specialised healthcare services beyond major urban centres.
Kenya Accelerates Digital Healthcare
The partnership comes as Kenya accelerates the digitisation of its health system.
The Ministry of Health has been transitioning from the SHA Provider Portal to an integrated SHA Health Management Information System, designed to support real-time patient verification, electronic claims processing and digital authentication of healthcare providers.
The system is also intended to facilitate secure exchange of health information across the health sector.
The Digital Health Agency is leading the wider digitisation agenda, while SHA is implementing reforms to healthcare financing and access.
KEMSA at Centre of Medicine Supply Reforms
KEMSA remains central to Government efforts to improve the availability and distribution of medicines and other health commodities to public health facilities.
Strengthening the authority’s systems and supply chains is expected to support efforts to reduce shortages and improve the availability of essential medical supplies.
The expanded partnership with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation is expected to complement these ongoing reforms.
Garissa Already Part of Digital Health Programme
Garissa has previously been a focus of the Government’s digital health programme.
In June 2025, the Ministry of Health launched health-facility digitalisation in the county, distributing more than 1,100 digital devices to public facilities and training healthcare workers to use digital systems.
Duale Promises Stronger Health Systems
Duale said the Ministry of Health would work closely with the foundation to translate the partnership into practical improvements for patients and healthcare providers.
“As the Ministry of Health, we will work closely with the Foundation to translate this partnership into stronger health systems, improved access to care and better outcomes for Kenyans,” he said.
The announcement comes as health remains a major focus of Kenya’s engagements at the UN General Assembly, with the Government seeking international partnerships to support universal health coverage, digital health and access to essential medical services.
