The United States has suspended a $1.6 billion health cooperation framework with Kenya pending a ruling from the High Court.
The agreement, concluded in December, aimed to strengthen Kenya’s public health system through funding, technical support and disease control initiatives.
Its implementation stalled after the framework became the subject of court proceedings challenging aspects of the deal.
Local outlet Kenyans.co.ke reported that Washington would not move forward until the judiciary completes its review.
Speaking in Nyeri on Thursday, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Susan Burns confirmed the pause, citing respect for Kenya’s legal process.
“It is up to Kenya to decide how they want this funding and how they want it implemented,” Burns told reporters.
“These are discussions that we need to have with the government, but at the moment, the matter is for the court to decide,” she added.
Burns said bilateral talks are continuing despite the uncertainty hanging over the agreement.
She noted that implementation discussions remain ongoing and pledged to respect any decision delivered by the court.
“There is a chance to relearn how to do things and scale them up,” Burns said, signalling flexibility in future cooperation.
The US will continue supporting Kenya’s health sector through alternative channels, including the embassy’s Office of Foreign Assistance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The partnership builds on more than 25 years of health collaboration between the two nations.
During that period, Washington has invested more than $7 billion in programmes targeting HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal health, research and disease surveillance.
The High Court’s ruling is expected to determine when and how the $1.6 billion framework can proceed.
