After $2.5bn Health Pact, Ruto Targets ‘First-in-Africa’ US Trade Deal for Kenya.

The remarks underline Ruto’s strategy to deepen Kenya US ties across health, trade, investment and security, positioning Kenya as the US’s leading African partner under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The landmark health cooperation deal

On 4 December 2025, Kenya and the United States signed a five year Health Cooperation Framework worth about $2.5 billion, making Kenya the first African country to enter such a direct government‑to‑government health pact with Washington.

Under the framework, the US plans to provide up to roughly $1.6–1.7 billion over five years to support priority health programmes, while Kenya commits several hundred million dollars and a gradual increase in domestic funding.

The agreement targets HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, polio eradication, disease surveillance and outbreak preparedness, effectively reshaping how US health assistance flows to Kenya by channeling more support directly to the state rather than NGOs.

Ruto has promised that the funds will be used transparently to modernize hospitals, purchase advanced equipment and strengthen the health workforce.

Ruto’s hint at a US trade deal

Speaking at the 12th National and County Governments Coordinating Summit, Ruto said Kenya could again become the first African country to finalize a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement with the US.

He revealed that he had met a senior US trade representative and dispatched Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui to Washington twice to lobby for the deal, underscoring how central the US market is to Kenya’s export strategy.

Kenya currently exports goods worth about $800 million annually to the United States, and Ruto indicated that both sides are pushing to conclude the bilateral trade pact as early as January, even as wider negotiations continue around the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

“We might actually be the first country to conclude a bilateral trade agreement with the United States again. Forget about what we have already done on health. We might be the first ones to also complete our bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. When I was there, I did meet with a U.S. trade representative. I have sent CS Lee Kinyanjui here twice to the United States. Why? Because the United States is an important market for us.”

Securing such an agreement would give Kenya more predictable, long‑term access to the US market on terms negotiated directly, rather than relying solely on broader continental frameworks.

Ruto highlighted that American investors are among the most active participants at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, holding significant positions in bonds and equities.

He also noted that the US has overtaken traditional European markets like the UK and Italy to become Kenya’s single largest source of tourists, with over 300,000 American visitors recorded in the latest full‑year statistics.

“They have overtaken the UK; they have overtaken Italy. Today, according to last year’s statistics, 306,000 tourists came from the United States, the largest market. It speaks to the strong relationship between our country and the United States,” he added.

Beyond capital markets and tourism, the US is a key partner in defence cooperation, security assistance and development financing, with recent deals spanning health, potential labour export arrangements and investment in strategic sectors.

Ruto framed this multifaceted engagement as a deliberate plan rather than trial and error, arguing that closer ties with Washington align with Kenya’s long‑term economic and geopolitical ambitions.

“We don’t want to take advantage of anybody. And I promise you; nobody will take advantage of us. Nobody. And I don’t think the United States, being the responsible friends that they are, would want to take advantage of us. There is a clear, demonstrable, documented, strong relationship between the United States and Kenya, whether it is our defense agreements and support that we get from them.”

Sovereignty, data fears and domestic debate

While the health deal and potential trade pact are being celebrated by Ruto’s allies as diplomatic wins, they have also sparked debate at home over data sovereignty and whether Kenya could become over‑dependent on a single foreign partner.

Critics worry about the extent of health data and biological samples that may be shared under the health framework, and whether future trade provisions could expose local industries to stiff competition.

In response, Ruto has repeatedly insisted that no foreign government or entity will exploit Kenyans under the new agreements, stressing that the partnerships are built on mutual respect and documented benefits.

He has promised that his administration will safeguard Kenya’s interests in every negotiation, saying that while Kenya seeks investment, markets and technology from the US, it will not accept one‑sided arrangements.

What another ‘first in Africa’ deal would mean

If Kenya manages to conclude the envisaged bilateral trade agreement ahead of other African states, it would reinforce Nairobi’s role as Washington’s anchor ally on the continent.

For Kenyan businesses, a tailored trade deal could lock in preferential access for key exports such as textiles, agricultural products and services, potentially boosting jobs and foreign exchange earnings.

However, being first also means Kenya will effectively set a template that other African countries may follow, increasing pressure on negotiators to secure strong safeguards on labour standards, local industry protection and policy space.

As the health framework comes into force and trade talks advance, Kenya’s balancing act between opportunity and caution will shape not only its own future, but also how Africa engages with a more transactional US foreign policy.