The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has officially pulled out of its Host Country Agreement with the Kenyan government, citing a pending court case that has disrupted its operations and shifted focus from its development goals.
This move comes after the High Court issued an order suspending the special privileges and immunities granted to the Foundation under the Privileges and Immunities Act. The suspension followed a legal petition filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which questioned the legality of the agreement.
In a statement, the Foundation’s Africa Director, Dr Paulin Basinga, said the ongoing legal challenge had created an unnecessary distraction from the organisation’s work in Kenya, leading to a mutual agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to end the arrangement.
“The legal proceedings tied to the Host Country Agreement have become a distraction,” said Dr Basinga. “To ensure our work continues uninterrupted, we will maintain operations in Kenya but move forward without the privileges under the agreement.”
Despite the withdrawal, the Foundation assured stakeholders that its commitment to Kenya remains intact. Dr Basinga reiterated that the organisation would continue supporting key development initiatives in health, agriculture, and economic growth.
“We remain deeply committed to our work in Kenya. Our focus remains on collaborating with local partners and communities to deliver meaningful change.”
For over 20 years, the Gates Foundation has worked alongside Kenya on numerous initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes, advancing food security, and expanding economic opportunities.