Kenya's Ruto, US conclude universal health coverage pact

THE US on Thursday signed a $2.5 billion (R42.3bn) health aid deal with Kenya, the first such bilateral agreement after US President Donald Trump tore down the historic US aid agency and sidelined NGOs.

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Trump administration officials said the agreement would be the first in a series of agreements with developing countries’ governments, which will be asked to share the bill and cooperate with Washington on other priorities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the agreement in Washington with Kenyan President William Ruto, whom he praised for the longtime US partner's assistance in troubled Haiti.

“If we had five or 10 countries willing to step forward and do just half of what Kenya has done already, it would be an extraordinary achievement,” Rubio said.

Kenya has led a security force to stabilise Haiti, wracked by years of violence. Under the agreement, the US will provide $1.6 bn over five years to Kenya to work on health issues including combating HIV/Aids and malaria and preventing polio. Kenya will contribute another $850 million with an agreement to gradually take on more responsibility.