Following US President Donald Trump’s decision to restrict funding to numerous nations, including Kenya, hundreds of Kenyans have lost their jobs, and more are at risk of being laid off.
Trump’s executive order, which froze humanitarian aid to most third-world nations, produced unexpected problems in several worldwide organizations.
The crisis has pushed various government agencies and county governments to rearrange their operations to accommodate the drastic changes.
For example, on Friday, January 31, Kisii County’s Department of Medical Services was obliged to place more than 500 workers on mandatory leave when the US government cut funds.
“Following the US government directive regarding the suspension of all US government-funded activities, we regret to inform you that you should not report to work henceforth and advised otherwise,” read part of the notice by Kisii County government.
The notice further read, “We understand this situation may bring uncertainty, but we appreciate your cooperation during this time.”
Kisii County Health Minister Robert Nyakweba spoke to the press shortly after receiving the notice and confirmed the suspension of funding.
He did, however, mention that the county government has already begun the process of evaluating potential alternatives to guarantee that health services are not disrupted.
Similarly, Kenyans employed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent organization of the United States responsible for humanitarian aid around the world, were placed on a 90-day obligatory leave.
Other counties affected by Trump’s directive were Kisumu and Homa Bay, where independent organizations financed by the US government that give financial aid in the education and health sectors ceased operations.
A similar incident occurred at the University of Nairobi (UoN), where an unknown number of Kenyan employees working for USAID were placed on unpaid leave.
The notification stated that the UoN Faculty of Health Sciences has placed all workers working on USAID’s Fahari Ya Jamii project on a three-month unpaid leave beginning February 1, 2025.
Despite the freeze in funding for third-world countries, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently authorized waivers for emergency food aid, life-saving medicine, medical services, food, shelter, and subsistence assistance and supplies.
