US govt to review foreign assistance to Kenya after cuts

The United States government has announced plans to review its foreign assistance programs in Kenya, including USAID funding, amid ongoing discussions about the sustainability of critical health services.

Speaking during a visit to Eldoret on Friday, August 8, 2025, US Chargé d’Affaires in Nairobi Carla Benini emphasised that while changes to foreign aid are still under review, essential HIV care and treatment services remain a top priority.

“Certainly changes to our foreign assistance programs, many of which are still under review. I think for me what I’d like to underline is that the critical HIV care and treatment services and the commodities, the actual drugs that are keeping folks with their viral loads suppressed, continue very much,” Benini stated.

Partnership and transition

She added that the US and Kenyan governments are already in conversation across federal and county levels to explore sustainability options.

“Frankly back in December we already had an agreement MOU with counties about how to work on a transition program because Kenya is so successful.”

Benini highlighted the strength of the long-term partnership between the two nations. “I think that’s really the message that I want to relay is that through this long-term partnership with PEPFAR over 20 years, we are at a point where we can be talking with our Kenyan experts and partners and how that sustainability can continue long into the future.”

Impact and scale

She further expressed her commitment to seeing the impact of these programmes firsthand.

“For me it’s really just a testament to the foundational ties between Kenyan and American people, and that the health partnership continues to be alive and strong. I wanted to make this one of my first stops in Eldoret to see the incredible work that’s being done,” Benini explained.

The review and funding discussions come in the wake of a major cut to USAID resources. Treasury CS John Mbadi had earlier revealed that US President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to USAID will create a Ksh52 billion deficit in the Financial Year 2024/25. The affected sectors include health, governance, education, and food security.

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