LIVE: Marco Rubio Meets Kenyan President William Ruto to Sign Important Cooperation Agreement Today

Video Description

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is participating today in a Health Framework of Cooperation signing ceremony with Kenyan President William Ruto and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. The ceremony is scheduled as a webcast on December 4, 2025, from 9:50 AM to 11:00 AM EST. This framework is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral and regional cooperation in various fields, including health systems, pandemic preparedness, and biomedical research. Marco Rubio has served as the 72nd U.S. Secretary of State since January 21, 2025, under President Donald Trump. In this role, he is the President's chief foreign affairs adviser and leads the U.S. Department of State. On December 4, 2025, Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio hosted and participated in a Health Framework of Cooperation Signing Ceremony at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. Key Details of the Ceremony Event: Signing of the U.S.-Kenya Health Framework of Cooperation. Time: 10:00 AM EST (following a closed-door meeting at 9:30 AM). Key Participants: Marco A. Rubio (U.S. Secretary of State) William Ruto (President of Kenya) Musalia Mudavadi (Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs) Significance of the Framework This agreement marks a strategic shift in the 25-year health partnership between the U.S. and Kenya. Moving beyond the traditional donor-recipient model (historically dominated by PEPFAR-led HIV/AIDS relief), this new framework emphasizes sustainability, self-reliance, and host-country leadership. Key goals include: Transition to Government Leadership: Shifting the management of health programs from U.S. agencies directly to the Kenyan government to ensure long-term viability. Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Accelerating Kenya's progress toward UHC by strengthening domestic health systems rather than relying solely on external aid. 2030 Roadmap: Establishing a clear timeline for building a self-reliant health system in Kenya by 2030. "America First" Health Strategy: The deal aligns with the Trump-Rubio administration's broader "America First Global Health Strategy," which prioritizes bilateral cooperation and national sovereignty over multilateral mandates (underscored by the administration's rejection of WHO amendments earlier in July 2025). Broader Context of the Visit President Ruto's presence in Washington is part of a high-stakes diplomatic visit. In addition to the health signing, he is attending a summit mediated by the U.S. aimed at finalizing a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. The health framework serves as a "soft power" anchor, reinforcing U.S.-Kenya ties while Washington seeks Ruto's help in stabilizing the Great Lakes region. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKBNaxsFV4hpGVc8QOUmsFg/join Defense Now | December 2025 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe95fdmDwNk8E11bCUK-i6l-rrnYSxajZ&si=BnkplJkSXeevw9B9 Members-only videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOKBNaxsFV4hpGVc8QOUmsFg Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio participates in a Health Framework of Cooperation Signing Ceremony Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio participates in a Health Framework of Cooperation signing ceremony with Kenyan President William Ruto and Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi. Film Credits: U.S. Department of State