As far as countries go, Kenya is relatively young. Founded in 1963, Kenya is just 4 years older than Heart transplants. As a young country it received the aid of multiple foreign parties that helped it off the ground. In the last 15 years the country has had tremendous growth; a new constitution, new economic governance and elections; the second of which were just completed in August 2022. In this time Kenya has had an average GDP or economic growth rate of 4.8%. Poverty has been steadily declining, life expectancy, access to education, electricity and clean water have all rose. It seems that Kenya is now hitting its growth spurt and starting adolescence. The gross national income per person has now reached $2010 in 2021 categorizing it as a "Low-Middle" income country with over 50 other peer countries.
Like all adolescents there are some serious challenges, influence from peer countries, and increased autonomy. As a middle income country many of the international third parties have started to withdraw support to focus on other low income countries. For example the Global Fund and UNFPA have reduced family planning donations and funding. The US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief's ended its funding in 2019. Importantly, GAVI, the global alliance for vaccines and immunization which has provided nearly half a billion dollars worth of funds and vaccination supplies will be ending its contract in 2027. Over the next few years Kenya will have to start funding these programs independently. Individual healthcare workers seem nervous about access to supplies that are already scarce. With insufficient funding the vaccination rates can fall, family planning will be in limbo and the HIV epidemic can worsen. This pivotal, necessary, transition to healthcare maturity will be just as awkward and challenging as can be expected in adolescence but also exciting to see as Kenya flourishes and proves that these programs help facilitate countries independence.
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