Ruto urges Johns Hopkins, Harvard to create exchange programs with Kenyan universities

President William Ruto has invited leading health training institutions in the United States to create exchange programs for Kenyan students to boost research in the health sector.

During an address at the U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday, Ruto called upon institutions such as the Philadelphia-based Perelman Centre of Advanced Medicine; Johns Hopkins, Harvard, Columbia, Duke and Emory universities to create exchange programs with local universities.

“Through such collaboration, we aim to expand learning horizons and deepen insights into emerging threats, including zoonotic diseases,” Ruto said.

Ruto, who is on a four-day state visit to the U.S. termed the American government Kenya’s greatest ally in the health sector.

“The partnership between CDC, the National Institute of Health, and KEMRI, spanning seven research programs has led to significant scientific discoveries, notably the malaria vaccine, enhancing healthcare outcomes,” said Ruto.

The President called for increased grants to KEMRI to help establish strong intellectual property and scientific entrepreneurship frameworks to support Kenya's product development.

“I therefore encourage you to enhance support for better coordination, aligning efforts to improve our health system. This includes prioritizing and investing in the implementation of the Kenya Health Sector Partnership and Coordination Framework (2018-2030),” Ruto told the audience.

At the same time, Ruto praised the U.S. government’s President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative in not only boosting Kenya’s efforts to combat HIV/Aids but also achieving success in global health.

“Together, we've turned a once fatal disease into a manageable condition, achieving significant success in global health. Through collaboration with the US, Kenya is transitioning HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programs into primary health care initiatives, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 3,” said Ruto.

Since 2003, the U.S. government has invested at least $8 billion in Kenya, according to figures from the U.S. Embassy.

The funding contributes more than half of the total HIV/Aids care funds in Kenya to support programs for the over 1.6 million people living with HIV in the country.

Ruto’s visit to the Western nation is the first state visit by an African leader in 15 years and aims to strengthen ties with the U.S. while also opening doors to investment.

The Kenyan leader on Monday invited American investors and manufacturers to explore opportunities in Kenya, amid growing interest from Asian and Middle Eastern companies in Africa.

On Tuesday, Ruto is scheduled to visit Spelman College in Atlanta to emphasise the critical role of higher education, particularly in science and technology, in attracting investments.

A communiqué by State House indicates that he will later visit Tyler Perry Studios to explore opportunities within the creative economy and then head to the Coca-Cola company to forge new investments.

He will also launch Kenyan fashion label Vivo's inaugural store in Atlanta and finally, in the company of First Lady Rachel Ruto, attend a dinner hosted by the state's mayor, Andre Dickens.