More than 500 employees of Kenya’s Redeemed Integrated Development Agency (RIDA) marched to the streets on Friday to protest unpaid salaries, which they claim had been delayed by four months.
Employees claim they have not received their December 2024 and January 2025 salaries, leaving many struggling to satisfy their basic demands.They are part of a World Vision project supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
The protests underline the mounting repercussions of US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend foreign aid, which has affected operations at organizations that rely on American money.
Workers at the demonstrations in Baba Dogo, Nairobi, accused RIDA management of making false promises about their payments.
“We were called for a meeting and promised that we would be paid despite the funding freeze, but nothing has happened,” said Mary Adhiambo, a RIDA employee.
Adhiambo, a single mother, explained that the unpaid salary had prevented her from paying her children’s school tuition.
Another employee, Linus Agweli, shared her frustrations, claiming that they were told their January dues will be paid in accordance with Trump’s order, but this has not happened.
RIDA, which advocates for World Vision initiatives, has been badly damaged by the suspension of USAID financing.
The agency’s administration denies purposely delaying salaries, blaming the delays on World Vision guidelines.
In a statement, RIDA Board Chairman Rev. Gideon Nzioki said that transaction processing has been paused till further notice.
“Our actions are in line with World Vision’s directives,” he said, referring to a memo dated January 27, 2025, which mandated the immediate suspension of all project activities.
The memo indicated that only costs spent up to January 24 would be covered, leaving those who remained to work until the end of the month underpaid.
Employees have expressed fury, feeling abandoned by both their company and the international agencies managing the initiatives.
The funding block, imposed by President Trump’s executive order on January 20, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the global development community.
The directive suspended all US foreign aid for 90 days to allow for a review of its conformity with American foreign policy.
While the evaluation is underway, organisations that rely on USAID financing have been compelled to suspend activities, resulting in widespread layoffs and unpaid pay.
According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Kenya will face a Ksh52 billion deficit in the fiscal year 2024/2025 as a result of the USAID funding restriction.
Earlier this month, the CS informed parliamentarians that funding cuts will have an impact on important areas like as health, education, food security, and governance.
