A new U.S. – Kenya health agreement is facing criticism from Black rights activists, who are questioning the intentions behind America’s First Global Health Strategy and its possible impact on Africa.
Speaking to journalists in Nairobi, African-American activist Ayo Kimathi urged Kenya and other African countries to reject the strategy, arguing that it could threaten Africa’s health systems, sovereignty and population.
Kimathi claims the health strategy goes beyond cooperation and could be part of what he describes as a wider U.S. agenda to reduce Africa’s population.
He also warned that some health policies could be used to harm African communities under the cover of development and medical assistance.
He called for the agreement to face public debate, expert review and international scrutiny before Kenya fully embraces it.
“This initiative, along with others such as GMOs replacing ancestral seeds, must be subjected to public debate, expert review, global scrutiny, and definitive rejection,” Kimathi said.
The U.S. government says the plan is aimed at improving global health security, strengthening health systems, preventing disease outbreaks and expanding access to healthcare through partnerships.
President William Ruto has backed the agreement, describing it as a five-year bilateral partnership involving KSh204.8 ($1.6 billion) in U.S. funding and KSh108.8 billion($850 million) in Kenyan financing.
Ruto says the deal will also move health funding from non-governmental organizations to state institutions, which he believes will help Kenya achieve greater health sovereignty by 2030.
