Kenya to miss out on critical programs funded by USAID

Kenya is set to miss out on some of the key programs that USAID funds if the 30-day review schedule on all foreign aid is aligned with President DonaldTrump’s foreign policy goals.
The new development is likely to reduce the need for large-scale USAID assistance to Kenya. USAID is currently a major source of development funding in Kenya, and supports key sectors like health, education, agriculture, and disaster relief, and climate change mitigation initiatives.
In a letter addressed to all contracting and agreement officers and implementing partners, USAID Senior Procurement Executive, Jamil Rodgers, cautioned the officers that they must not modify, extend, or exercise option or renewals for existing awards beyond the actions authorized.
Rodgers further stated that all USAID contracts and agreement officers should immediately issue stop work orders, amend, or suspend existing awards, consistent with the terms and conditions of the relevant award.
Other issues that could lead to reduction or suspension of funding to Kenya include diversion of funds, or a lack of transparency in project implementation. If the Kenyan government is seen as not effectively managing aid funds or failing to address corruption concerns, USAID may reduce its support.
If projects are not properly monitored and evaluated, leading to concerns about the effectiveness of aid, USAID could scale back funding. Political instability or interference in project implementation could lead to USAID withdrawing funding.
USAID has signed many agreements with Kenya that have been active since 2021 after President Trump had been defeated in the US elections, including water and sanitation projects, and projects that address climate change.
Some of these projects include Sustainable, Transformational, and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) which started in 2023–2028 and focuses on institutional strengthening and climate change, Western Kenya Sanitation Project (WKSP) which focuses on menstrual health and hygiene management, entrepreneurship, and market-based approaches and has been active since 2022 and was expected to run up to 2027.
Another project dubbed Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP) – which focuses on water service delivery, institutional strengthening, and water conservation has been active since 2022 and is expected to run until 2027.
Last year, the US signed a historic framework for cooperation with the Government of Kenya to support new partnerships between universities and industry to drive innovation, research, and job growth in STEM-related fields in Kenya and globally.
According to Rodgers, USAID has suspended all funding contracts and those under the Development Objective Agreement (DOAGs), until a review of foreign assistance programs is carried out.
Some of the projects funded by USAID in Kenya include a USD 4.32 million (KSh 557,769,456.00) investment in Kenya’s education system that aims at Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Education for Economic Development Framework for Cooperation He said USAID has suspended all funding contracts and those under the Development Objective Agreement (DOAGs), until a review of foreign assistance programs is carried out.
Rodgers further disclosed that all contracts and agreement officers should immediately issue stop work orders, amend, or suspend existing awards, consistent with the terms and conditions of the relevant award.
He added after the review, the said officers will communicate decisions related to whether an award will be continued, or terminated with impacted contractors and recipients.
In addition, contracting and agreement officers must not issue new awards or release any new requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for application (RFAs), notices of funding opportunities (NOFOs) or any other kind of solicitation or request for foreign assistance funding until each activity has been reviewed and approved as consistent with the President’s policy.