Kenya and the United States have acknowledged the importance of continued sustained engagement between the two countries amid the recent pause on foreign aid by the US to African countries.

This is after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi candidly discussed the recent executive orders signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and their potential implications for Kenya with US Ambassador Marc Dillard at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya.

The meeting came days after beneficiaries of the aid worldwide, including Kenya, began receiving letters confirming its termination.

During the discussions, both Mbadi and  Dillard agreed that the two countries need to continue discussing how these changes might affect Kenya, especially in development projects, and seek an alternative solution.

Treasury CS John Mbadi (middle right) with leaders from the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya including Ambassador Marc Dillard (middle left), March 4, 2025

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The National Treasury

"Acknowledging the significance of this development, the meeting emphasised the importance of sustained engagement between Kenya and the United States to assess any potential impacts, particularly on development programs and organisations operating in Kenya, and to explore collaborative solutions to any emerging challenges," read part of the statement by Mbadi after the meeting.

Beneficiaries from the US Fund aid ended the uncertainty surrounding the aid after they started receiving termination letters on February 27. The letters were a confirmation that indeed the aid had stopped.

In Kenya, one of the implementing partners that benefited from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and received the confirmation cut letter is the USAID Tujenge Jamii initiative, a partnership between USAID, Deloitte, FHI 360, and Goldstar.

The letter was sent after a directive from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in his capacity as the Acting Administrator for USAID, explained that aid was cut for the convenience and the interests of the U.S. government.

Reacting to the termination letters, both the speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi backed President Donald Trump's move terming it as a wake-up call for Africa to be independent.

"They want to make America great again. We, in Kenya, must make Kenya great forever by making sacrifices and working hard," Wetangula said during the funeral service of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo on Saturday.

During the meeting with CS Mbadi, Ambassador Dillard reaffirmed continued U.S. support for the Haiti program, food assistance, and other life-saving initiatives.

Kenya and the US have been collaborating on many development projects that have benefited Kenyans.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID)flag, January 16, 2025.

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USAID Kenya