US billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill Gates have eased the pains in Kenya’s cash-starved public health after offering a grant of Sh30 billion for the national budget for the year to June, amid cuts in foreign donations by President Donald Trump.
Gates Foundation offered Sh26 billion for direct budget support, according to official data compiled University of Nairobi's Centre for Epidemiological Modelling (Cema), with the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation providing Sh4 billion.
This comes as Gates Foundation commits to spend tens of billions on women’s health, including conditions from preeclampsia to menopause, had been neglected for too long.
Investment will focus on five key areas: obstetric care and maternal immunisation; maternal health and nutrition; gynaecological and menstrual health; contraceptive innovation and sexually transmitted infection.
His friend and fellow tycoon Mr Buffet, through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, is also for the first time directly financing the Kenyan government.
This follows the unprecedented decision by the Trump administration to slash some of the big-ticket contracts, rattling thousands of US-funded health projects in Kenya.
Gates' ex-wife Melinda French Gates, has also invested in women's health since leaving the Foundation last year.
Mr Gates is ranked the 14 richest person in the world. Buffett, the world’s 11th richest person, has donated billions of dollars to the foundation, named after his first wife and run by his children, which funds reproductive health and also supports access to safe abortion and contraception.
The billionaire, who recently announced that he would be stepping down as the CEO of sprawling conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, the financial juggernaut he built up over the past six decades.
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, originally known simply as Buffett Foundation, supports reproductive health initiatives, including access to contraception and safe abortion services.
The retreat by the American government has left a big gap, with rich philanthropists and charities being challenged to plug.
The aid cuts have affected health programmes across Africa, including shipments of critical medical supplies, including HIV drugs.
The Global Fund, which primarily fights HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, has offered Sh14 billion for direct budget support.
