USAID announces plans to fly home over 10,000 employees as work stops across the world
However, case by case exemptions and return travel extensions, will be considered based on personal or family hardship, mobility of safety concerns, or other reasons

The turmoil sparked by United States President Donald Trump’s order freezing foreign assistance for 90 days pending a review continues with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today that almost all of its about 10,000 employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave beginning on Friday.
In a notice issued today, USAID said only designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programmes will be exempted.
“Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3.00pm (EST),” it added.
USAID also said it is, in coordination with US missions and the Department, currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements, under which it will arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days as well as termination of non-essential contracts.
However, case by case exemptions and return travel extensions, will be considered based on personal or family hardship, mobility of safety concerns, or other reasons.
These include timing of dependants’ school term, personal or familial medical needs or pregnancy.
The move came a day billionaire Elon Musk, who leads the budget-slashing Department of Government Efficiency, took over as USAID acting director to spearhead the near-dismantling of the US’s lead foreign assistance agency.
The move has sparked chaos around the world as institutions and organisations that were recipients of USAID funding implement a “stop work” order issued by the State Department by halting programmes and sending home thousands of employees.
In Kenya, more than 2,000 employees have already been sent on unpaid leave with the fate of about 35,000 others hanging in the balance.
President Trump has accused USAID of engaging in programmes that serve foreign interests without any gain to the US despite spending billions of dollars in its work.
On Sunday, he said USAID has “been run by a bunch of radical lunatics,” adding: “We’re getting them out, and then we’ll make a decision.”
Musk, on his part, says the agency “I beyond repair,”, adding that President Trump agrees it should be shut down.
The US is the world’s largest single donor. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. disbursed $72 billion of assistance worldwide on everything from women’s health in conflict zones to access to clean water, HIV/AIDS treatments, energy security and anti-corruption work. It provided 42% of all humanitarian aid tracked by the United Nations in 2024.
Among health programmes in Kenya that have been impacted by the freeze are those funded under the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), the Foundation for Aids Research (amfAR) and Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (Ampath).
The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa) is among institutions affected, which has resulted in shortage of essential drugs including those for cancer and HIV/Aids.
While many across the world are warning that the consequences of the USAID will be catastrophic, others accuse it of meddling in influencing governance, including electoral processes, in their countries to serve US geopolitical interests.