Nairobi, February 3- Kenya is facing severe repercussions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze foreign aid, causing widespread layoffs and disruptions to critical programs across various sectors.
The abrupt halt in funding has left both government and non-governmental organizations struggling with financial uncertainty. In Kisii County, over 500 medical workers were dismissed on January 31, with officials instructing them to hand over duties and await further guidance due to the funding freeze. Experts criticized the sudden nature of the decision, emphasizing the need for a gradual transition to avoid severe humanitarian impacts.
Faith Ndung’u, an advocacy manager at the Health NGOs Network, highlighted the consequences for over one million HIV patients and vulnerable children, arguing that donor nations should provide advance notice and transition plans rather than abrupt cutoffs.
Similar effects are being felt in Homa Bay County, where hundreds of workers have been instructed to stop working until further notice. Meanwhile, Kisumu County is trying to mitigate the crisis by phasing out standalone HIV care centers and integrating services into lower-level health facilities to ensure continuity.
The aid freeze has also impacted the USAID-funded Fahari ya Jamii project, placing over 700 workers in Kajiado and Nairobi counties on compulsory three-month unpaid leave. Programs supporting vulnerable children, youth empowerment, research, and staff training have also been severely affected, prompting renewed calls for Kenya to reduce its dependence on foreign aid and increase domestic funding for essential services.