Workers with CFK Africa, an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth in informal settlements have reported severe impacts on the communities they serve following the abrupt withdrawal of support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The federal Government froze USAID spending in January, tens of thousands of Kenyans received notification that they would be laid off as a result of the end of U.S. grants, disrupting long-standing efforts to stop the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
Officials with CFK Africa noted that the sudden drop in funding has upended Kenya’s health care system, which was supported directly and indirectly through USAID in several ways.
“There is a lot of misunderstanding on what aid or development work is To me, it restores dignity, brings out the best in humanity, and lessens suffering, and I think that is missed from a lot of the current news stories on the pullback of aid,” said CFK Africa Executive Director Jeffrey Okoro.
“We don’t know what will happen next, but we are turning to our partners, reassuring our patients, and staying focused on our mission. At CFK Africa, our communities come first.”
With cuts to USAID-funded projects, the nonprofit is facing uncertainty around its critical care clinic for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, staff are unclear about what to share with patients, and access to data has become limited.
“Some patients are now coming into our healthcare clinics asking us if they are going to die,” said CFK Africa Program Lead for Clinical Services Eddah Ogogo.
“They are asking for longer refills for prescription drugs and making plans for what might happen if they cannot continue to get care.
In addition, CFK Africa’s clinics are experiencing an influx of patients and requests from community members who previously received care from organizations that were grant recipients of USAID and now have nowhere to turn.
Trump’s Crackdown on Foreign Aid
Trump’s administration has already made moves against USAID, an independent agency that manages a $42.8 billion budget for global humanitarian relief and development programs.
The former president, known for his America First policies, initially froze all foreign aid spending for three months, later issuing waivers for food and emergency relief while keeping broader funding uncertain.
Speaking on previously, Trump suggested major structural changes could be on the horizon.“USAID has been run by a bunch of radical lunatics, and we’re getting them out… and then we’ll make a decision (on its future),” Trump stated, without providing specifics.
Reports indicate that his team is considering folding USAID into the State Department, a move that would significantly reduce its independence.
The Rise of Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’While USAID faces uncertainty, Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—yes, that’s really its name—has been making waves in Washington’s bureaucracy.
Founded under the United States Digital Service, DOGE is a temporary 18-month entity with an ambitious mission: streamlining government operations and cutting wasteful spending.
Despite its limited official status, Musk’s team has reportedly been granted extensive access to federal records.
According to CNN, two senior USAID security officials were placed on forced leave after denying DOGE representatives access to classified files, personnel records, and internal security systems. Meanwhile, USAID’s official X account has been disabled, and its website remains offline, raising even more questions about the agency’s fate.
Kenya Caught in the Crosshairs Kenya, a longtime beneficiary of USAID funding, now finds itself among the countries facing uncertainty as Trump’s administration signals a potential overhaul—or even dismantling—of the agency.
USAID has played a critical role in healthcare, education, and economic development in Kenya, supporting everything from HIV/AIDS programs to small business initiatives.
A funding freeze or reallocation could significantly impact key projects, particularly in public health and infrastructure development.
As the US reevaluates its global aid strategy, Kenya must take this moment as a wake-up call. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta emphasized the need for economic self-sufficiency in his response to the crackdown on USAID.
With growing uncertainty in international aid, Kenya should double down on self-reliance, strengthening local industries, innovation, and intra-Africa trade to build a future that is less dependent on external assistance. The shifting global landscape is a stark reminder that sustainable development starts from within.
Kenya is staring at a looming crisis in its fight against HIV/AIDS, with antiretroviral (ARV) drug stocks expected to last only six more months following the suspension of U.S. funding to the health sector.
This has triggered growing anxiety among patients, some of whom have begun stockpiling medication in anticipation of shortages.
The funding freeze by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has had far-reaching consequences, affecting not only drug supplies but also thousands of health workers whose jobs were tied to donor-supported programs.
Counties have admitted they lack the capacity to absorb over 41,000 affected employees, a significant portion of whom were providing critical health services.
These concerns were raised during a multi-sectoral consultative meeting on HIV and syndemic diseases at Lake Naivasha Resort, where stakeholders acknowledged the dire impact of the funding cuts.
Khatra Ali, a board member of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC) and a representative of the Council of Governors (COG), highlighted the increasing strain on HIV patients.
She noted that rising uncertainty over ARV availability has led to long queues at hospitals as patients rush to secure their medication.“The supplies we have will last for just six months,” Ali warned. “People want to keep stock because they don’t want to find themselves in a mess.”
She further revealed that the funding freeze has disrupted multiple health programs, including tuberculosis (TB) and malaria initiatives, many of which rely heavily on donor support.
Additionally, Kenya risks losing critical health data stored in U.S.-managed systems if access is not secured within 90 days.
Despite these concerns, NSDCC CEO Dr. Ruth Masha sought to reassure the public, stating that Kenya still has adequate ARV supplies and is working with other development partners to maintain stability.“The Kenyan government provides ARVs, not just the donors.
While the U.S. contribution was significant, we are exploring other funding streams and reorganizing ourselves,” Masha said. “Patients should continue taking their medication; we do not anticipate running out of drugs.”
