National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has listed programs in Kenya that will continue to receive United States funding after President Donald Trump ordered a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January to assess whether projects were consistent with his policy aims.
While appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, March 5, Mbadi mentioned that there were about 100 US- funded programs in Kenya, but they would be reduced to 15 after the executive order.
“The programs that have been running in the country have been 100, and with this executive order, programs may be reduced to only 15,” Mbadi said.
However, he stated that only three programs would continue to receive funding from the US.
According to the CS, the United States’ decision to cut USAID funding will create a Ksh 52 billion deficit in the government’s 2024/2025 fiscal year.
He noted that the health, education, and food security sectors will be affected.
CS Mbadi Lists 3 Programs to Receive US Funding
Mbadi said this was revealed after he had a meeting with the Chargé d’affaires for the US embassy in Kenya, Mark Dillard. These programs include the Haiti mission, life-saving aid, and food relief.
“So, these are the areas that are going to be saved from the discussions I had with the US Charge d’affaires, and I requested him to give me a write-up on what the impact of this executive order is, including areas that are not going to be affected,” Mbadi said.
“He stated that life-saving intervention will, emergency- like infectious diseases like ebola will not be affected in terms of fund cuts,” Mbadi revealed.
“Emergency food assistance will also be preserved and finally our mission in Haiti through our Police will also be supported still.”
Also Read: Details of John Mbadi’s Meeting with US Envoy After Trump’s Foreign Aid Cut
The Treasury CS added that the executive order does not affect these three areas, and they will continue to enjoy US funding.
According to the Mbadi, the US has been giving Kenya support directly through implementing partners, not through budgetary support.
Mbadi said Kenya remains hopeful as it pursues risk-mitigating measures and seeks to strengthen its bilateral ties with the US, notwithstanding the outcome of the 90-day review on foreign aid.
USAID Terminates Grants and Contracts
His remarks come after Trump’s administration last week terminated thousands of foreign assistance grants and awards provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
This, according to them, is part of a broader effort to reduce the size of the federal government.
As part of a review of foreign aid spending, the U.S. State Department is discontinuing at least 10,000 grants and contracts from the USAID and the State Department.
Also Read: Trump Terminates USAID Grants and Contracts in Kenya and Other Countries
This includes programs previously classified as “life-saving activities,” which were given waivers from the foreign aid suspension.
The termination of these grants will disrupt critical services such as healthcare, nutrition, and emergency relief, leaving some of the world’s most vulnerable populations without vital support and thousands jobless.
USAID said the decision to terminate the awards is a policy determination vested in the Acting Administrator and the person performing the duties and functions of the Deputy Administrator.
The cancellation came as the US government nears completion of a review to ensure that grants are aligned with his “America First” agenda after ordering a 90-day pause on all foreign aid in January to assess whether projects were consistent with his policy aims.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and join our WhatsApp Group for real-time news updates
