The Trump administration’s recent decision to terminate over 90% of USAID’s foreign aid contracts has significantly impacted Kenya, with canceled contracts and grants totaling approximately Sh108.34 billion (about $839.47 million). This substantial reduction in funding aligns with President Trump’s “America First” agenda, aiming to reassess and realign U.S. foreign aid priorities.

The abrupt cancellation of these contracts has disrupted numerous development projects across Kenya, affecting sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. Notably, DAI Global, a prominent development firm, has seen projects worth Sh67.29 billion under USAID funding in Kenya terminated. This has left thousands of beneficiaries in a state of uncertainty, as organizations scramble to adjust to the sudden loss of funding.

This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending and eliminate programs perceived to advance a liberal agenda. The cuts have led to widespread disruptions in essential services, including the suspension of malnutrition treatment programs in Congo, food assistance for over a million people in Ethiopia, and the largest malaria project in Senegal.

In response to these developments, Nicholas Enrich, the acting assistant administrator for global health at USAID, has issued memos warning of severe humanitarian consequences resulting from the funding cuts. Despite the State Department’s issuance of a waiver to exempt lifesaving humanitarian aid from the funding freeze, the implementation has been hindered by political challenges.

The termination of these contracts and grants not only hampers critical development projects but also raises concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to global humanitarian efforts. As the 90-day review period progresses, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that balances national interests with the pressing needs of vulnerable populations worldwide.