Kenya Pushes for Domestic Resource Mobilization to Tackle $33 Million Malaria Funding Gap
State Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Hon. Susan Auma Mang’eni has urged African nations to prioritize domestic resource mobilization in the fight against malaria.
The call comes as Kenya faces a $33 million financial gap in its malaria control efforts, highlighting the urgent need for local investment amidst dwindling donor funding.
The event, held at the 2025 End Malaria Councils (EMCs) and Funds Chairs dinner was convened to secure the estimated $6.3 billion annually required for malaria control across Africa, underscored the critical nature of the situation.
Mang’eni emphasized the African Union’s ambitious goal to eliminate malaria by 2030, stressing the necessity of collective action from governments, the private sector, civil society, and communities.
Malaria remains a significant burden in Kenya, accounting for 15% of outpatient consultations in 2023, according to USAID. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that stagnant funding from 2027 to 2029 could result in 112 million additional cases and up to 280,700 deaths across Africa, intensifying the urgency for action.
Despite the End Malaria Councils mobilizing $125 million in 2024, the Global Fund, which provides 62% of international malaria financing, faces challenges due to donor fatigue and shifting global priorities. Co-hosted by the End Malaria Council (EMC) Kenya and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA), the meeting rallied support for the full replenishment of the Global Fund, crucial for combating malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Mang’eni urged African nations to seek inward solutions, stating, “We must not let malaria outmaneuver us. It’s time to rally our resources and suppress this age-old adversary.” Chris Getonga, Chairman of EMC Kenya, echoed this urgency, highlighting resource mobilization and collaboration as key strategies to reduce malaria incidence.
The meeting’s timing is critical, with a U.S. executive order temporarily freezing foreign aid, threatening malaria drug supplies in nations reliant on USAID support. Kenya, with 3.42 million confirmed cases in 2022 and a national funding gap of Ksh 24 billion, exemplifies the high stakes involved.
In conclusion, the fight against malaria demands more than goodwill—it requires substantial funding, innovation, and unwavering commitment. The call to action is clear: collective effort and domestic resource mobilization are essential to overcoming this enduring health challenge.
