Raila Pleads with US to Reconsider Decision to Cripple USAID

On behalf of Kenyans, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has appealed asking the United States of America to reconsider its decision to cripple the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which has been the backbone of Kenya’s health sector for years.

During a meeting with Marc D. Dillard, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the United States of America to Kenya, Raila addressed Kenya’s cooperation with U.S emphasizing on its commitment to strengthen the bond.

The ODM leader further used the opportunity to to urge the U.S. to revisit the decision it took, to completely cut the funding channeled to USAID, which has been crucial for life-saving activities.

“I hosted Amb. Marc D. Dillard, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of the United States of America @USAmbKenya who was accompanied by Political Officer Claire Thomas,” he began his statement via his social post.

“We reviewed the state of the Kenyan nation and political developments in the USA. I expressed my deep worries about the crippling of USAID and appealed to the US government to rethink decisions that will affect access to humanitarian services, particularly access to life-saving medication,” he stated.

On his inauguration day, U.S. President Donald Trump signed executive orders, including a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending, affecting USAID funds globally.

The move elicited mixed reactions and sparked debates in Kenya and globally, with many highlighting the implications of the cut, particularly on humanitarian welfare.