Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale addresses a meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee under the Kenya–United States Health Cooperation Framework in Nairobi on Monday, July 13, 2026. Aden Duale/X
Kenya is ramping up efforts to strengthen its healthcare system through a renewed partnership with the United States and fresh talks with a global pharmaceutical company aimed at expanding access to cancer prevention and treatment.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the initiatives are part of the government's drive to accelerate Universal Health Coverage (UHC), strengthen the Social Health Authority (SHA) and improve access to quality healthcare.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee under the Kenya–United States Health Cooperation Framework in Nairobi on Monday, Duale said the partnership marks a shift from traditional donor funding to a government-led model focused on national priorities and long-term investment.
"The framework marks a significant shift from traditional donor support to a government-led partnership anchored on national priorities, mutual accountability and sustainable investment in strengthening Kenya's health system," he said.
The meeting, attended by senior Kenyan officials and a US delegation led by Chargé d'Affaires Susan Burns, reviewed progress under the framework, including the near completion of its implementation plan, the start of a comprehensive risk assessment and approval of a Strategic Objective Agreement.
According to the Ministry of Health, the partnership will support investments in the Social Health Authority, primary healthcare, digital health systems, disease surveillance, health workforce development, health security and sustainable medical supply chains.
Duale also welcomed the formation of a County Transition Taskforce, saying it will help develop an evidence-based roadmap to strengthen devolved health services while ensuring continuity of essential healthcare across the country.
In a separate meeting, the Health Cabinet Secretary held talks with executives from global biopharmaceutical company Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) on expanding cancer prevention, early diagnosis and access to treatment in Kenya.
The discussions come as Kenya records about 44,000 new cancer cases every year, making the disease one of the country's leading causes of illness and death.
Among the proposals discussed were expanding Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, increasing public awareness, deploying mobile cancer screening and diagnostic services, supporting local cancer research, training healthcare workers and promoting technology transfer.
The two sides also explored ways of improving access to advanced cancer medicines, including pembrolizumab (Keytruda), within Kenya's public healthcare system.
"Strengthening cancer prevention, early detection and access to quality treatment remains a key priority under the government's Universal Health Coverage agenda," Duale said.
The Ministry of Health and MSD said they would continue discussions on strategic investment, innovation and technical collaboration to strengthen Kenya's cancer care system and expand access to prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
