The future of millions of Kenyan children is now uncertain as global shifts threaten the availability of life-saving vaccines. A major blow has come from the United States, which recently announced it would withdraw its annual $300 million funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance — a key partner in Kenya’s immunization program.
The U.S. government, through its Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accused Gavi of “ignoring safety concerns” around vaccines and giving “questionable recommendations” during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I call on Gavi to re-earn the public trust and to justify the $8 billion America has provided since 2001. Until that happens, the United States won’t contribute more,” Kennedy said.
This move couldn’t have come at a worse time. Gavi has already failed to meet its $11.9 billion target for the just-ended 2024/2025 financial year. With the U.S. previously contributing about 13% of Gavi’s total budget, the funding gap is now deeper than ever.
Kenya Feels the Heat
Kenya is not just a victim — it is also partly to blame. The country has defaulted on a $12.49 million (KSh1.6 billion) payment to Gavi for the 2024/2025 financial year. The deadline passed on June 30, 2025, and the money had not been released by the time of this report. This delay risks vaccine shortages and possible disruption of critical immunization services across the country.
Gavi supports eight major vaccines in Kenya under its co-financing model:
- Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV)
- Measles-Rubella Vaccine (MR)
- Malaria Vaccine
- Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
- Pentavalent Vaccine (protects against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b)
- Rotavirus Vaccine (Rota)
- Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV)
- Yellow Fever Vaccine (YF)
These vaccines have been critical in preventing disease and saving lives, especially in children under five. But with donor support fading and Kenya struggling to meet its share of the costs, the progress made over the last decade is now in jeopardy.
A Mixed National Picture
Kenya’s overall immunization coverage currently stands at 88%, which is among the best in Africa. But the picture on the ground is uneven.
In Vihiga County, immunization coverage is a remarkable 98% — thanks to strong community health networks and political commitment. In contrast, Isiolo County lags far behind with just 18% coverage, leaving thousands of children unprotected and vulnerable to deadly diseases.
Health experts are now warning of a possible surge in vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, polio, diphtheria, and pneumonia if funding gaps are not urgently addressed.
“We can’t overstate the impact of the U.S. pulling out. Countless children will die from vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Mihir Mankad, global health advocacy director at Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Global Outcry, Local Consequences
Human rights and health advocacy groups across the globe are urging the U.S. to reverse its decision. Many have dismissed Kennedy’s claims against Gavi as baseless and dangerous.
“Kennedy’s allegations that Gavi ignored science are completely false,” said a statement from Public Citizen, a U.S. consumer rights group.
“Cutting global vaccine funding based on misleading claims is cruel and reckless.”
What Next for Kenya?
Kenya must now move quickly to settle its outstanding debt and work with partners to secure alternative funding. More importantly, the country must prepare for a future where it may have to fully finance its immunization programs — a transition that Gavi has always envisioned but one Kenya may not be ready for just yet.
If nothing changes, the hard-won gains in child survival and public health could be lost. For Kenya’s children, time is running out.
