United States Ambassador to Kenya, Susan Burns with Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o.United States Ambassador to Kenya, Susan Burns, has pledged stronger health collaborations with Kisumu County, terming the region a model for effective partnerships between Kenya and the U.S.
The Ambassador paid a courtesy call to Governor Anyang' Nyong'o in his office in Kisumu on Thursday.
Speaking during her visit, Burns who assumed her role on August 22 said Kisumu was deliberately chosen as her first county stop outside Nairobi due to its long-standing cooperation with the U.S. in health research and development.
“I came to really see the work we are doing together with Kenyan experts in malaria vaccine testing, HIV epidemic control, and broader disease surveillance to safeguard against global outbreaks,” she said after touring laboratories run by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Walter Reed facilities in the county.
The envoy also met with Peace Corps trainees based in Kisumu, noting that the program launched in the 1960s remains a source of pride for the U.S.
“The young volunteers learn about Kenya and, in turn, take a part of Kisumu back to the United States, becoming ambassadors for the country,” she added.
The Ambassador noted that it was great meeting the volunteers and she looks forward to returning when they are sworn in as full peace corps volunteers.
Burns further revealed that discussions with Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o centered on exploring innovative ways to strengthen healthcare delivery.
“Because of the deep and effective partnership here, we are looking to use Kisumu as a model for scaling health assistance across Kenya,” she said.
Governor Nyong’o welcomed the visit, describing Kisumu’s collaboration with the U.S. as critical to the county’s development agenda.
He also urged greater support for the creative economy, which he termed “a very important sector” for local growth.
Burns who concluded her visit further assured that she would return in November, hinting at renewed engagements not only in health but also in Kisumu’s budding creative industries.
