Talking points:

• The U.S. Mission and its Health Portfolio leadership stand with the Cabinet Secretary and his team to improve the health of the people of Kenya, through both service delivery and strengthening of Kenyan public health systems.
• We commend the Government of Kenya’s bold financial and political commitment to improve the health of Kenyans.
• The United States Government interagency leadership and teams are part of many development partners and health-sector working groups.
  • USAID currently represents bilateral donors on the Development Partners for Health-Kenya Executive Committee and is a representative for bilateral development partners on the Global Fund Country Coordination Committee.
• The USG remains committed to our joint and shared responsibility in the concerted effort to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and other infectious diseases, to reduce maternal and child deaths and increase use of family planning and reproductive health services, and to improve nutrition.
• Through the Global Health Security Agenda, CDC is expanding support on surveillance and public health science and research.
  • USAID is focusing on identifying and categorizing emerging pandemic threats.
• Not only are we committed to working with the MOH to address immediate healthcare needs, but we are also supporting your ministry efforts to train the next generation of leaders.

• Through our Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training (FELTP), CDC trains emerging leaders from staff of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Livestock in applied epidemiology and laboratory management, as well as outbreak and rapid response.
  • CDC is expanding this work to implement management training for MOH officials.
• The relationship between the USG and the Government of Kenya (GOK) is one of these partnerships

• PEPFAR is the largest manifestation of how, when we work together for common purpose, challenges can be overcome.

• The USG supports devolution and remains committed to assisting the national government while helping counties to manage their health needs.

• While we understand your government’s need to support all counties, as the USG we have to make strategic choices based on disease burden and likely programmatic impact, all within fiscal constraints.
• We hope the Cabinet Secretary will continue to revitalize health-sector coordination mechanisms in line with devolution.
• The different USG agencies represented here remain available to the Cabinet Secretary for assistance and advice.
• We look forward to our technical experts being able to provide a detailed technical briefing in due course.

Background:

From TB and HIV to malaria, maternal and newborn health, to non-communicable diseases, Kenya is globally renowned for its resilience in tackling diseases and health issues. The USG health portfolio exceeds $600 million in FY 2015.

The collaboration between the USG and the Government of Kenya is a significant, long-term investment in the capacity of Kenyan national and county health systems, policy and programs. We are applying science, analysis of abundant data, and resources to key health issues. 

For example, we believe Kenya could be the first country to achieve HIV epidemic control, and the USG is proud to partner with the government and people of Kenya to achieve this goal.  

The partnership with and leadership from the Cabinet Secretary’s office and his technical team are vital to implementing our extraordinary investments that will save the lives of millions of Kenyans through our joint programs on HIV, TB, malaria and other infectious diseases, as well as our work together to improve maternal, newborn and child health, bolster nutritional status and address family planning and reproductive health.  Your ministry’s partnership is important to continue the robust and world-renowned scientific research conducted throughout the country.