Health CS Reveals Govt’s Next Move After USAID Withdrawal & Job Losses

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Barasa has announced the steps the government will take after United States President Donald Trump halted USAID funding.

Speaking in a media interview, Dr Barasa acknowledged USAID’s contributions in helping Kenya reduce HIV-related deaths but emphasized that the government will now focus on self-reliance.

She stated that the Universal Health Care (Taifa Care) program will support patients previously dependent on USAID for healthcare.

“We must move towards self-reliance as Kenyans. The introduction of Taifa Care and Social Health Insurance are important milestones in this journey. These initiatives are part of a long-term global plan to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare, even when foreign donors are no longer available,” CS Barasa said. 

“This is a process that has been carefully planned over time, and we are confident it will ensure sustainability for our healthcare system.”

Baraza Says Govt Will Be Self-Reliant Going Forward After USAID Fund Halt

Additionally, Barasa mentioned that the government is seeking other partners and that discussions are ongoing with various stakeholders within the health docket to address the USAID funding issue.

“Secondly, we are looking at other partners, and it is very important to consider the Treasury, where they can assist us,” she added. 

“My colleagues and I, along with the technical team, have been examining how USAID has helped us, looking at the funds that have been used, the people who were supported by USAID, and so on.”

Also read: 15 Top Organizations That Benefit from USAID, Where the Money Goes

“Now, we are coming up with short-term, mid-term, and long-term interventions to ensure that we don’t rely too much on partners, but also that we become self-reliant.”

The remarks from the Health Cabinet Secretary come at a time when thousands of Kenyans are facing potential job losses after the U.S. government suspended USAID funding for 90 days, which has left many employees’ futures uncertain.

Employees sent on leave

Last week, senior USAID officials and employees were placed on leave, while thousands of contractors were laid off.

A memo from the agency, sent to contractors and partners, announced the immediate suspension of operations for several programs in Kenya.

This action is part of a broader freeze on U.S. aid and funding that was implemented following President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

Also Read: UoN Sends USAID Staff on Unpaid Leave After Trump’s Order

The suspended programs include the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), USAID’s Tujenge Jamii (UTJ), Nuru Ya Mtoto, and Fahari Ya Jamii (FYJ) projects.

In response to the directive that halted ongoing work on various initiatives, many workers at county hospitals have been sent home. These hospitals have issued memos to their employees, instructing them not to report to work until further notice.

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