UNAIDS hails Kenya–US health framework as major boost for HIV response
Under the deal, the United States will provide US$1.6 billion (Sh208 billion) over five years, while Kenya will contribute approximately US$850 million (Sh110.04 billion) from domestic resources.
The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has hailed a new five-year Health Cooperation Framework between Kenya and the United States as a major boost for the country’s HIV response and health system strengthening.
The agency described the agreement as a milestone that reinforces global partnership and shared commitment to ending AIDS by 2030.
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The framework was signed on Thursday in Washington, DC, by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President William Ruto.
Under the deal, the United States will provide US$1.6 billion (Sh208 billion) over five years, while Kenya will contribute approximately US$850 million (Sh110.04 billion) from domestic resources.
UNAIDS said the arrangement reflects “shared solidarity, co-investment, self-reliant systems and resolve to save lives, reduce new HIV infections, and advance progress towards ending AIDS in Kenya.”
The agreement builds on decades of collaboration through PEPFAR, one of the world’s largest global health programmes.
It aims to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: ensuring 95 per cent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 per cent of those diagnosed are on sustained treatment, and 95 per cent of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
Kenya is close to these goals, with recent data showing 95 per cent awareness, 97 per cent on treatment, and 97 per cent viral suppression.
Despite this progress, challenges such as declining donor support, medication stockouts, and high infection rates in specific populations highlight the need for renewed action.
Beyond HIV, the framework sets the objective of reducing new infections and AIDS-related deaths by 90 per cent by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.
It will support technical guidance, capacity building, community-led programmes, and health system improvements to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Rubio said Kenya is the first of 50 countries expected to enter similar bilateral agreements, reflecting Washington’s renewed focus on global health.
UNAIDS praised the framework, stating that it “brings renewed momentum to advance Kenya’s outstanding response to HIV and US leadership in the global HIV response.”
The agency also pledged to provide governments, civil society, and community partners with data, expertise, and guidance during implementation.
“The historic global effort to end AIDS is advanced when governments and people stand together,” UNAIDS said, underlining the importance of collaboration in achieving zero new infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths by 2030.
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