Billionaire Buffett donates Sh3.8b to boost Kenya’s health programs

American billionaire and philanthropist Warren Buffett has extended a grant of Sh3.8 billion to Kenya to bolster its health services.

The funding, channeled through the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, will be allocated to the State Department of Medical Services, offering much-needed relief to the health sector following substantial funding reductions by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi disclosed the grant in the 2025/2026 Budget estimates, marking it as one of the most notable contributions to the national government.

The Ksh3.8 billion grant from Buffett is equivalent to 18.1% of the Ksh20.93 billion project budget for the State Department of Medical Services for the upcoming financial year.

This comes at a time when vital medical supplies and services have been disrupted following an executive order by former President Trump, which led to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) halting several of its key projects in Kenya.

These cuts have impacted the delivery of essential medical supplies, including HIV medications and vaccines. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) cautioned that Kenya is at risk of depleting its HIV drug stockpile due to the cessation of aid.

The Kenyan government subsequently disclosed that it would need approximately Sh25 billion to fill the funding gap left by the US, with Sh2 billion urgently required to address the immediate shortages.

In response to recent executive orders, wealthy philanthropists and charitable organizations have been called upon to provide support to those affected.

The Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, previously known as the Buffett Foundation, is a key player in promoting reproductive health, particularly by enhancing access to contraception and ensuring safe abortion services.

For the upcoming financial year, Kenya is set to receive Sh24.47 billion in grants, with Buffett's contribution coming in third. Other contributors include the World Bank (Sh12.37 billion), the Global Fund (Sh4.4 billion), the Green Climate Fund (Sh950 million), the European Development Fund/Economic Community of Europe (Sh840 million), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Sh540 million).

Buffett, currently ranked as the world's sixth-richest individual, has an estimated net worth of $161 billion (Sh20.8 trillion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

He is a seasoned investor who amassed his wealth primarily through strategic investments, most notably by acquiring and expanding Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company he purchased in the 1960s.

He is also known for his opposition to Trump’s assertive trade policy.