China has extended a grant worth 1.8 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately 13.9 million U.S. dollars) to Kenya to support the upgrading of key hospitals in rural areas. The grant comes at a critical time as Kenya grapples with a substantial funding shortfall in its healthcare sector following the withdrawal of U.S. aid.
The agreement was signed in Nairobi by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, and the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan. The grant will support the modernization and infrastructure development of several regional healthcare facilities, including Londiani Referral Hospital, Baringo County Referral Hospital, Kilifi Hospital, Misikhu Hospital, Bildad Kaggia Hospital, and Kaimosi Farmers Training College.
“This grant is a significant boost to Kenya’s healthcare sector,” said Mbadi during the signing ceremony. “It will enable the upgrading of essential health institutions across the country and directly improve service delivery, especially in under served regions.”
The Ministry of Health recently disclosed a funding gap of 239.6 million dollars, following the withdrawal of U.S. donor support. The shortfall has led to job losses for health workers, disruption of critical programs addressing malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV interventions, and widespread underfunding of public health facilities.
China’s intervention is widely seen as a timely lifeline and a reaffirmation of the growing strategic partnership between Beijing and Nairobi. Ambassador Guo Haiyan reiterated China’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s development priorities and emphasized health as one of the cornerstone of China-Africa cooperation.
“This grant reflects the spirit of mutual assistance and friendship between China and Kenya,” she said. “Health is fundamental to development, and China is proud to support Kenya’s vision of equitable, accessible healthcare for all.”
