Kenya’s strained health sector has received a crucial financial boost of Sh3.8 billion from American billionaire and philanthropist Warren Buffett, offering some relief after devastating aid cuts by the administration of President Donald Trump.

According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the grant — channelled through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation — will flow directly to the State Department of Medical Services, covering 18.1 per cent of its Sh20.93 billion project budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Mbadi revealed this development in the latest Budget estimates, underscoring its importance as one of the largest external grants to the national government in recent times.

The timing of Buffett’s intervention could not be more critical.

Kenya’s healthcare system has been grappling with severe shortages after an executive order by Trump led the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to halt major projects in the country.

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The abrupt funding cut disrupted the flow of essential medical supplies, including HIV drugs and vaccines, placing thousands of patients at risk.

In a stark warning, the World Health Organisation (WHO) earlier stated that “the decision to terminate the aid would result in Kenya running out of HIV drugs.”

The Kenyan government, alarmed by the impact, estimated that it required nearly Sh25 billion to replace the lost US funding, with at least Sh2 billion needed urgently to patch immediate gaps in supply.

Buffett’s Sh3.8 billion grant, therefore, arrives not just as a gesture of goodwill but as a lifeline.

His foundation, initially known as the Buffett Foundation, has a longstanding record of supporting reproductive health initiatives globally, particularly access to contraception and safe abortion services.

The 94-year-old Buffett, who ranks as the world’s sixth-richest person with an estimated net worth of Sh20.8 trillion ($161 billion), made his fortune as a master investor.

He famously acquired Berkshire Hathaway in the 1960s, transforming it into one of the most powerful holding companies in the world.

Buffett has also been known to clash with Trump over the former president’s aggressive trade policies.

In the aftermath of the US aid withdrawal, calls had mounted for wealthy philanthropists and charitable organisations to intervene and assist vulnerable populations left exposed by the funding vacuum.

Buffett’s contribution signals a strong response to that challenge, reaffirming the growing role of private wealth in shaping global health outcomes.