President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on U.S. foreign aid, aiming to assess how these programs align with American interests and values.
This policy has raised concerns about potential funding cuts for countries like Kenya, which has been a significant recipient of U.S. aid.
The impact could be substantial in sectors like health, where programs such as the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have been critical, security, and broader development initiatives.
Kenya’s economy and societal programs could face challenges if funding is reduced or redirected.
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and local projects that rely on this aid might experience financial distress, which could potentially affect ongoing efforts in health, education, and infrastructure development.
This move reflects Trump’s administration’s policy from his first term, where there were attempts to cut foreign aid budgets significantly, though Congress often moderated these.
The current executive order will require each aid program to be reviewed individually for its alignment with U.S. policy goals, which could lead to a reorientation or even termination of some aid programs.
The situation remains fluid as the exact outcomes of the review are not yet clear, and how much aid might be affected will depend on the results of the assessments over the next 90 days.
Given that Congress controls the federal budget, the extent of the president’s ability to enact these cuts without Congressional approval is also a point of contention.
