NAIROBI, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has signalled a policy shift from traditional donor-funded aid to strategic cooperation in Kenya’s health sector, following high-level talks between the national government, county administrations, and the United States Government.
Duale presided over a joint meeting on Wednesday to discuss the implementation roadmap for the U.S.–Kenya Health Cooperation Framework, bringing together officials from the Ministry of Health, county governments, and U.S. representatives.
“The discussions advanced a shift from traditional aid to strategic cooperation anchored on national priorities, local ownership, strong institutions, sustainability and accountability,” Duale said in a statement after the meeting.
The framework seeks to recalibrate health partnerships by strengthening Kenya’s institutional capacity rather than relying on externally driven programmes, as the country rolls out reforms under the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the Digital Health Act.
Priority health reforms
According to the Health CS, the meeting focused on strengthening disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness through the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI), enhancing laboratory systems, reforming health supply chains, and building a capable frontline health workforce.
The discussions also prioritised accelerated digital health transformation, in line with the Digital Health Act, which aims to streamline patient records, improve service delivery, and enhance accountability across the healthcare system.
“Continuity of health services and patient protection remain non-negotiable as reforms progress,” Duale said.
Officials present underscored the importance of safeguarding patients during the transition to new financing, governance, and digital systems, amid public concern over disruptions linked to health sector reforms.
Counties as service delivery engines
Duale reaffirmed the central role of county governments in health service delivery, noting that effective implementation of the cooperation framework depends on shared ownership between national and county leadership.
“The meeting reaffirmed county governments as the engine of service delivery and underscored the need for shared ownership between national and county leadership,” he said.
Health is a devolved function under the Constitution of Kenya, with counties responsible for frontline service delivery, while the national government retains policy, regulatory, and referral roles. Tensions over financing, staffing, and accountability have remained a persistent challenge since devolution.
US–Kenya cooperation
The meeting was attended by U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns, Medical Services Principal Secretary Dr Ouma Oluga, Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, and Council of Governors representative Khatra Ali, among other senior officials.
The United States has been a long-standing partner in Kenya’s health sector, particularly in areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and maternal health. However, recent policy shifts by the government have emphasised sustainability, domestic financing, and institutional strengthening.
Duale has maintained that strengthening institutions, enforcing accountability, and protecting patients remain central to restoring public trust in the health system.
