(NAIROBI, KENYA) – Kenya and the United States are reviewing a new government to government health financing model aimed at improving accountability and strengthening local ownership of health programmes. The transition is being assessed through high level talks between Kenyan health officials and an American delegation in Nairobi.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale hosted US Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Carla Benini, who led the American team. Representatives from PwC and the Project Management Unit also attended the meeting. The discussions focused on progress in the transition, agreed milestones and governance arrangements supporting the new cooperation framework.
Duale called for a structured, transparent and accountable transition that protects essential health services while increasing government ownership and building institutional capacity. The talks covered governance and oversight, risk and capacity assessments, transition milestones and early findings. Both sides agreed that major decisions would continue to be handled through established bilateral governance structures.
The two parties also agreed that the remaining risk and capacity assessment should be completed within a jointly agreed and clearly defined timeframe. Duale stressed the importance of predictable, transparent and consistent financing throughout the transition period.
The meeting reviewed the outstanding disbursement instrument required to make Kenya’s on budget financial commitment operational under the new arrangement. The consultations confirmed that the transition is being implemented within a government approved framework designed to strengthen accountability and improve the use of government systems.
The framework also aims to ensure continuity of critical health programmes and to maximise the effective use of available resources for the benefit of Kenyans. It supports the country’s broader Universal Health Coverage agenda.
The Ministry of Health said the government remains committed to working closely with the US government and other partners to ensure the transition results in a sustainable, government led model of health cooperation aligned with Kenya’s health priorities.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni, and Director General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth. Also present were Heidi O’Bra of the US Embassy, representatives from PwC and the Project Management Unit, as well as heads of semi autonomous government agencies and directorates within the Ministry of Health.