U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Visits AMPATH Partners During National Conference

US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and other leaders visited AMPATH partner initiatives at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

AMPATH leaders were honored to welcome US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, accompanied by USAID Kenya and East Africa Mission Director David Gosney; Bert Ubamadu, deputy mission director; Heidi O’Bra, HPN deputy office director;  Salome Okutoyi, PMS HIV deputy team lead, AOR; and Brian Rettman, PEPFAR coordinator, to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and to share the great work that the AMPATH Kenya partnership is accomplishing with support from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

The visit was part of the Ambassador’s participation in Kenya’s annual Devolution Conference which brought more than 8,000 delegates to Eldoret. President William Ruto and other dignitaries led the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Kenya’s devolution or the decentralization of power, resources and representation to each of the 47 counties.

Ambassador Whitman and the other honored guests toured the adult section of the AMPATH Centre where 12,417 adults living with HIV receive care. They also toured the AMPATH laboratory and learned about the lab’s HIV testing and research capacity.

“We were privileged to host Ambassador Whitman, Mission Director Gosney and their team at MTRH and showcased the partnership between people and organizations in the US and Kenya in building a sustainable healthcare system,” said MTRH CEO Wilson K. Aruasa, EBS, MBS.

“We were able to share with the US team, not only the impact that their support has for people living with HIV, but also how these investments are expanding and improving care for people with other illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension,” added AMPATH Director of Care Professor Sylvester Kimaiyo.

“Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) exemplifies the robust collaboration between the US and Kenya, fostering scientific research that improves health outcomes locally and globally. Our shared dedication to research continues to bring significant advancements.

The impressive progress seen at MTRH represents our collective efforts toward sustainable healthcare solutions. Together, we are shaping the future of health initiatives, aligned with President Ruto's commitment to the success of the PEPFAR program,” USAID Kenya shared on social media following the visit.

AMPATH programs were well represented at the devolution conference with MTRH, USAID AMPATH Uzima, USAID Dumisha Afya and USAID 4TheChild participating. The AMPATH team showcased interventions to support access to quality health and social services in the context of evolving county governance structures.

The conference gathers thought leaders, practitioners, and stakeholders and presents opportunities to reflect on the achievements of the past decade and chart a course for the future. By focusing on the role of county governments as pivotal drivers of economic growth and development at the local level, AMPATH’s partners aim to bolster the positive impact of our initiatives in fostering sustainable development.