The Kenyan government has announced plans to allocate Sh24.9 billion to sustain programs affected by the recent freeze on foreign aid by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This move follows sweeping policy reforms introduced by the administration of former US President Donald Trump, which included suspending USAID-funded programs worldwide.
The funding freeze has raised concerns about severe economic and social repercussions, particularly in developing nations like Kenya, where USAID plays a crucial role in supporting healthcare, food security, and poverty alleviation efforts. In Kenya, HIV/AIDS initiatives are among the most vulnerable programs at risk due to the cut in foreign aid.
During a national health summit on Monday, which brought together representatives from both national and county governments, it was resolved that Kenya would continue engaging the US government to explore diplomatic solutions. Officials hope to negotiate waivers, seek clarifications, and secure approvals that would allow for the continuation of essential USAID-funded programs.
However, should diplomatic efforts fail, the government has committed to absorbing the Sh24.9 billion shortfall into its national budget. Already, the state has set aside Sh2 billion for vaccines and an additional Sh2.5 billion to address disruptions caused by the Vaccine Alliance Gavi freeze.
“Certain development partners have recently made abrupt policy changes regarding the financing of health programs,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said during the summit. “I assure the nation that we remain committed to ensuring that any policy decisions by our development partners do not compromise the delivery of healthcare services in Kenya.”
Kindiki emphasized that the government’s priority is to safeguard healthcare services from the impact of foreign policy shifts. “We are making all necessary contingency plans to prevent any disruptions in service delivery to the people of Kenya,” he added.
Health experts at the summit warned that a reduction in donor funding could have dire consequences. Projections indicate that Kenya could record as many as 58,495 new HIV infections by 2030 if funding for prevention and treatment programs is cut.
Currently, the US contributes Sh24.9 billion to Kenya’s Sh79.8 billion health commodity budget, making it one of the country’s most significant development partners in the healthcare sector.
As the government strategizes on filling the financial gap, stakeholders in the health sector will be keen to see how these interventions unfold to ensure that crucial medical services remain uninterrupted.
