From KMTC to Catholic bishops: What to know about USAID’s funding history in Kenya

The impact of the drastic changes carried out by President Donald Trump's administration on the US Agency for International Development (USAID), continues to be felt in Kenya and beyond.

Kenya is ranked fifth highest beneficiary of USA assistance and stands to be impacted by these changes affecting the 60 years of USAID in Kenya.

The source of those funds now has been abruptly shut leaving hundreds of governmental and non-governmental organizations in limbo.

USAID was born in the United States during the administration of the then-Democrat President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War.

“USAID was founded in 1961 to be the primary foreign assistance agency for the United States. It works in over 80 countries in the world presently and manages a budget of about 40 billion dollars,” explained Kate Lmquist Knorf, USAID’s former country director in Kenya.

Over the years, USAID has worked to promote global stability, counter Soviet influence, and support US foreign policy through humanitarian efforts.

The aid agency now funds programs addressing global health, economic development, disaster relief, education, and democracy promotion.

The initiatives it funds have played a key role in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, providing emergency food aid, supporting democratic governance, and fostering economic growth in developing nations.

“The main goal is to save lives, economic development, health, education, social services food security, agriculture and clean energy,” said Knorf.

Last year alone, the country was the beneficiary of Ksh. 84.1 billion to more than 230 institutions for activities relating to its core functions in Kenya.

Amongst those outfits that received substantial amounts of money include the World Food Programme which got Ksh.15.6 billion, Agriculture Cooperative Development (Ksh.5 billion), Catholic Relief (Ksh.2.7 billion), World Vision (Ksh.2.3 billion), the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (Ksh.2 billion) and Amref Health (Ksh.1.5 billion).

Others are the Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (Ksh.751 million), Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (Ksh.280 million), and the Kenya Medical Training College (Ksh.153 million), amongst others.

Other organizations received a combined Ksh.8.3 billion in funding.

Cumulatively, Kenya has received 1.26 trillion shillings as aid from USAID from 2001 to 2024, the bulk of which has gone to HIV-AIDS interventions, emergency response to drought and floods, maternal and child health and food security programmes.

Trump’s government’s changes in the administration of the foreign aid agency are set to alter how the world superpower exercises its soft power and the impact it has on the lives of millions who depend on it.