Wetang’ula Urges U.S. to Deliver on Nairobi–Mombasa Highway, Address USAID Health Funding Gap

Nairobi, Kenya — September 23, 2025, 16:20 EAT.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the United States to honour its commitment to the Nairobi–Mombasa highway project and to urgently address concerns over the suspension of USAID programmes in Kenya’s health sector.

The Latest

In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, Wetang’ula revealed that he had met with Susan M. Burns, the Interim Chargé d’Affaires of the United States, during a courtesy call at Parliament Buildings.

“We discussed partnerships between Kenya and the U.S., with a focus on health, peace, infrastructure, and economic collaboration,” Wetang’ula said, adding that the talks raised the Nairobi–Mombasa highway project and the recent halting of some U.S.-funded health programmes.

The Nairobi–Mombasa highway, expected to transform trade and transport by connecting the country’s largest port to its capital, has faced repeated delays since initial funding pledges were made in 2022.

Context in Brief

• Infrastructure promise: The U.S. government pledged financial and technical support for the Nairobi–Mombasa expressway under its Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative, launched to counterbalance China’s Belt and Road projects.

• USAID programme suspension: Reports indicate that some U.S.-funded health initiatives, including HIV and maternal health programmes, have faced disruptions due to budgetary and policy realignments in Washington.

• Strategic partnership: The U.S. remains one of Kenya’s biggest development partners, with bilateral trade valued at KSh 150 billion ($1.1 billion) annually.

Law, Policy, and Process

• Infrastructure Mandates: Kenya’s Roads Act (2007) tasks the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)with developing and maintaining national roads, including through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs).

• Health Framework: The Public Health Act and bilateral MoUs guide foreign funding of health initiatives in Kenya.

• Parliamentary Oversight: Article 95 of the Constitution gives Parliament oversight over national revenue and its use, including donor-funded projects.

Voices and Stakeholders

• Government: “We expect commitments made on infrastructure and health funding to be met so that Kenyan lives and livelihoods benefit as intended,” Wetang’ula told reporters after the meeting.

• Health Advocates: Dr. Lydia Wekesa of the Kenya Medical Practitioners Association said delays in USAID funding could affect essential services such as ARV distribution and maternal care.

• U.S. Diplomacy: The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has not yet issued a public statement on the meeting but has previously cited “policy reviews and alignment with global priorities” for funding shifts.

Evidence & Data

• Highway Specs: The Nairobi–Mombasa expressway spans 482 km and is projected to cut travel time from 10 hours to 4 hours.

• Health Impact: USAID funds nearly 40% of Kenya’s HIV response and supports 1,200 health facilitiesnationwide.

• Financial Figures: The project is estimated at $3.6 billion (KSh 480 billion) under a PPP model.

Risks and Implications

• Economic: Delays could slow trade between Nairobi, Mombasa, and the wider East African Community corridor.

• Health: Funding gaps risk reversing gains in HIV, malaria, and maternal health programmes.

• Diplomatic: Strained perceptions of U.S. reliability could open doors for rival powers like China to expand influence.

What We Don’t Know

• Whether the U.S. will release a fresh timeline for the Nairobi–Mombasa highway project.

• How many health programmes have been affected and whether services will resume this fiscal year.

• Whether Kenya plans to diversify infrastructure funding sources if U.S. delays persist.

Timeline

• 2022: U.S. pledges support for Nairobi–Mombasa highway under B3W initiative.

• Aug 2025: Reports emerge of USAID funding suspensions in Kenya’s health sector.

• Sept 23, 2025: Wetang’ula meets U.S. envoy Susan M. Burns in Nairobi.

What to Watch

• U.S. Embassy response to Wetang’ula’s concerns in coming days.

• Parliamentary debate on foreign funding for health and infrastructure projects.

• Possible Chinese involvement if U.S. delays continue.

Editor’s Note: This story will be updated as soon as the U.S. Embassy or USAID provides official clarification on project timelines and funding decisions.