USAID cuts trigger clinic closures, job losses in Kenya

KENYA — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is facing significant cuts, as the Trump administration moves to reduce the agency’s independence by placing it under the control of the State Department.

This shift comes shortly after the administration announced a halt in the supply of life-saving drugs for HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis to countries supported by USAID, including Kenya.

The situation worsened when the USAID website went offline without explanation, and reports emerged of furloughs, layoffs, and program shutdowns due to President Donald Trump’s freeze on U.S.-funded foreign aid.

This freeze, which began following Trump’s inauguration, has been accompanied by a stop-work order to contractors and partners working with USAID, effectively halting all ongoing projects.

A key casualty of this freeze is the PEPFAR program (The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), which has been instrumental in saving millions of lives and preventing HIV infections worldwide.

In Kenya, PEPFAR supports vital projects aimed at reducing HIV infections and providing essential treatment, from testing to long-term care.

With the funding freeze now in place, these programs are in jeopardy, leaving health stakeholders increasingly concerned about the country’s reliance on donor support.

As the freeze takes effect, local governments and non-governmental organizations that relied on U.S. funding are struggling to stay afloat.

For instance, the Kisii County government has suspended all USAID-funded activities, sending over 500 workers home with only their January 2025 salaries.

The county’s public health and sanitation director has instructed the workers to await further guidance.

Similarly, Homa Bay County has asked staff from affected programs to hand over their responsibilities as part of the implementation of the freeze.

In Kisumu County, HIV care and treatment services have been integrated into routine healthcare services, as the county begins phasing out standalone HIV care centers.

USAID has also announced that over 700 workers under the Fahari ya Jamii project, a U.S.-funded initiative supporting HIV care in Nairobi and Kajiado counties, will be placed on a three-month unpaid leave starting February 1, 2025.

 The project, valued at KES 4.2 billion (US$32.495 million), was in its fourth year and had been expected to run until May 2025.

The abrupt closure of over 150 clinics has left more than 72,000 HIV patients without care, exacerbating an already dire health situation.

While the Trump administration has issued waivers for existing life-saving humanitarian programs, including core medical supplies, the long-term impact of the freeze remains uncertain.

The future of vital health programs like PEPFAR and the fate of millions depending on them hang in the balance. 

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