2007 PRESS RELEASES
Visit of USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore Highlights U.S.-Kenya Partnership in Development, Health, and Education
November 17-19, 2007
Henrietta Fore, concurrently the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State, visited Kenya November 17-19 to consult with the Government of Kenya and Kenyan stakeholders on ways to expand and strengthen the bilateral U.S.-Kenya relationship. Underlining the importance of the U.S.-Kenya relationship, it was the Ms. Fore’s first overseas trip since being confirmed USAID Administrator on November 13, 2007.
“I have been extremely impressed by what Kenyans have accomplished to consolidate democracy and to foster economic growth,” Administrator Fore commented upon departure. “We are pleased to be expanding our work in partnership with Kenyans to advance shared goals and values. Working together, we are saving lives by improving health care in Kenya, promoting good governance and democracy, enhancing regional stability, boosting economic growth, and improving security.”
The United States Government will invest $600 million in support to Kenya in 2007. The partnership between the U.S. and Kenya generates between $1.5 and $2 billion a year in resource flows to Kenya. This fact highlights the strong, dynamic relationship between our two countries.
On November 19, Administrator Fore opened the Consultative Forum and Review of the Ambassador’s Girls Scholarship Program at the Kenya Institute of Education. The President’s Africa Education Initiative is benefiting over 80 million children on the continent. In Kenya, 3,000 girls are receiving scholarships, African education administrators are being trained and more than 9,000 Kenyans are studying in the U.S.
Administrator Fore then participated in a luncheon with women Parliamentary aspirants, which highlighted the importance of gender equity and free and fair elections. She also signed a $60 million HIV/AIDS grant agreement with Indiana University and Moi University at the Ministry of Health. Our support against HIV/AIDS benefits over 700,000 orphans and persons receiving treatment. It is encouraging that these partnership efforts have helped to significantly reduce the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
These events underscore the U.S. Government’s commitment to Public-Private Partnerships and the important sectors of education and health. They also emphasize the importance of girls and women as the driving force in Kenya’s social, economic and political life.
