Trump Doesn't Have To Give You Anything: Uhuru Over US Cutting Funds

The 4th President went on to urge the African leaders to, for once, come up with other ways of securing funds for critical programmes without having to rely on the US.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Jan 29, 2025 - 12:15
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Trump Doesn't Have To Give You Anything: Uhuru Over US Cutting Funds
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta during a past meeting. /FILE

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, January 29 told off a section of Kenyan and African leaders complaining about the Executive Order by United States (US) President, Donald Trump to suspend U.S. foreign aid for 90 days on Monday, January 20.

Uhuru, who was giving his keynote address at the inaugural East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit (EARGHSS 2025) at the PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre in Mombasa, reminded leaders of the importance of utilising the foreign funds they receive.

The 4th President went on to urge the African leaders to, for once, come up with other ways of securing funds for critical programmes without having to rely on the US.

“I saw some people the other day crying that Trump has removed funding. It is not your government, it’s not your country. He has no reason to give you anything.

"You don’t pay taxes in America. He is appealing to his people. This is a wake-up call for you to say ‘okay, what are we going to do for ourselves’,” he said.

The president urged African leaders to be self-reliant by ensuring they address the challenges they face, enabling them to free up resources for areas where they are most needed.

He went on to add that African leaders have been spending the resources they have on the wrong things, including funding unnecessary wars and fights.

“Nobody is going to continue holding a hand out there to give you (money). It is time for us to use our resources for the right things. We are the ones using them for the wrong things. The bullets and the guns we buy we are not given for free. We buy them.

"And we are not buying them to go and fight wars off our shores. We are fighting our own people. Brother killing sister, sister killing brother over stupid things,” he added.

Immediately after being sworn into office, Trump ordered a three-month pause on almost all foreign development assistance pending a review to see what fits in with the president’s “America First” policy.

VOA reported that in the 2023 fiscal year, the US spent just short of $70 billion on development aid, most of it through the US Agency for International Development, or USAID.

Within hours of taking office last week, President Donald Trump put all but the most urgently needed food assistance on hold, part of his charge to realign the nation’s foreign stance with his America First policy. His executive order pauses new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds for 90 days while they are reviewed.

In response, Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Korir Sing'Oei lamented that the move, captured in an Executive Order, could frustrate development in critical areas such as health. He urged Trump's government to develop new strategies to support vulnerable populations in countries like Kenya, which face significant risks in light of the recent developments.

"The announced pause to U.S. foreign assistance will unfortunately impair the ability of many African countries to meet health and other targets and undermine the realization of SDGs. We hope President Trump’s administration will provide new pathways for cushioning the most vulnerable populations.

"Equally, African states must rise up to the challenge and seize the opportunity to wean themselves from external dependency," Korir remarked.

According to a 2020 report by AidData, the US contributions to Kenya were estimated at over $3 billion (about Ksh386.85 billion in the current exchange rates) annually, with approximately $1 billion (about Ksh128.95 billion in the current exchange rates) per year coming directly from foreign aid. 

Most of this aid has historically been directed toward health initiatives through the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since its inception, Kenya has received about $7 billion (about Ksh902.65 billion in the current exchange rates) from PEPFAR over 15 years, making it one of the program's largest beneficiaries. 

In May 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it would be investing close to Ksh4.1 billion in Kenya's dedication system.

US President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders on January 20, 2025. /AP

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