Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced plans to deepen Kenya’s partnership with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, with the collaboration set to support key government health agencies and facilitate the establishment of a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Garissa.
Duale said he joined President William Ruto in talks with Prof. Senait Fisseha, Vice President of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The discussions focused on elevating the existing partnership to a strategic level, with support expected to benefit the Social Health Authority (SHA), Digital Health Agency (DHA) and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).
“The elevation of this partnership to a strategic level will provide greater support to the Social Health Authority (SHA), Digital Health Agency and KEMSA as they advance their respective mandates,” Duale said.
The Health CS said the expanded partnership would also pave the way for the establishment of a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Garissa, increasing access to specialised services in the county.
The development comes as Kenya continues to implement reforms aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery, including the digitisation of health services.
The Ministry of Health is transitioning from the SHA Provider Portal to an integrated SHA Health Management Information System designed to facilitate real-time patient verification, electronic claims processing, digital provider authentication and secure exchange of health information.
Meanwhile, KEMSA remains central to government efforts to improve the availability and distribution of medicines and other essential health commodities, while the Digital Health Agency is spearheading the country’s broader digital health agenda.
Garissa has also been among the counties targeted under the government’s digital health programme.
In June 2025, the Ministry of Health launched the digitalisation of health facilities in the county, distributing more than 1,100 digital devices to public facilities and training healthcare workers on digital systems.
Duale said the Ministry would work closely with the foundation to translate the partnership into tangible improvements in healthcare delivery.
“As the Ministry of Health, we will work closely with the Foundation to translate this partnership into stronger health systems, improved access to care and better outcomes for Kenyans,” he said.
The announcement comes amid intensified efforts by the government to secure partnerships aimed at advancing universal health coverage, digital healthcare and access to essential medical services.
