US government has approved Sh40.7 billion to fund HIV response in Kenya.
The money will be utilised between October this year and September 2023.
The amount had been agreed on in February this year, subject to Kenya preparing a Country Operational Plan, which describes detailed priorities and strategies to guide the funding.
US embassy in Nairobi said the funding will go to programmes that help Kenya maintain epidemic control, the situation where the total number of new HIV infections falls below the total number of deaths from all causes among HIV-positive individuals.
The funding comes through President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program (PEPFAR) and is channelled through local partners.
Pepfar last month said it had approved Kenya’s Country Operational Plan in a virtual meeting.
The meeting was attended by Pepfar director John Nkengasong, in the presence of the Health PS Susan Mochache, Council of Governor Committee of Health chairperson Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, CEO of the National AIDS Control Council Dr Ruth Laibon-Masha, as well as representatives of civil society, the faith-based health network, the private sector and the Global Fund and the United Nationsa.
“Since the beginning of Pepfar, Kenya has been at the forefront and a leader in the global HIV response. We have much to learn from your success and I look forward to deepening this productive partnership during my time as ambassador,” Nkengasong said.
Kenya is one of a few countries nearing successful control of the HIV epidemic and reaching UNAIDS 95:95:95 goals.
“The journey to reach this Kenya COP22 approval has been marked by excellent collaboration with all stakeholders and we’re confident that the jointly developed plan will make a real difference to the people of Kenya, especially those living with HIV,” said acting deputy chief of mission, US embassy in Nairobi, Eric Watnik.
The funding this year has been reduced from last year when Kenya received $365 million (Sh41.44 billion).
Former Pepfar boss Dr Angeli Achrekar in February had said Kenya must take up more responsibilities such as viral load tests for children.
“Pepfar Kenya has one of the largest programmes and budgets, but falls in the bottom third when it comes to host country government co-financing,” she said in a planning letter, to acting US ambassador to Kenya Eric Kneedler.
She added, “Now that Pepfar Kenya’s focus is shifting to sustaining its HIV impact, the co-financing commitments and follow-through need to be a priority."
She also warned Pepfar-funded programmes in Kenya must not hire extra staff and some jobs will be merged.
Angeli said Kenya was already in epidemic control and therefore unnecessary spending must stop.
“Pepfar Kenya should review non-service delivery spending to identify duplicative activities that can be consolidated or centralised. Staff and material spending at site should be reviewed with a preference for maintaining current levels,” she said.
Angeli said they will also no longer pay taxes, such as the Sh100 million tax on ARVs and other HIV commodities that was demanded by the Kenya Revenue Authority last year.
This stand off led to a six-month stockout of ARVs and testing kits across the country.
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