Thousands of workers in Kenya are facing unemployment as the fallout from US President Donald Trump’s executive order begins to take effect.
The order, which restricts foreign aid funding, has caused a severe disruption in crucial HIV/AIDS programmes funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), leaving many workers without jobs.
The Catholic Church, one of the largest providers of health services in the country, has been hit hard. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) announced the immediate suspension of its HIV/AIDS programmes under the KCCB-ACTS programme.
Dr Moses Muriuki, the programme director, sent out a letter on 30 January 2025, informing staff that “all activities under this award must immediately cease,” and that contracts would be cancelled effective 24 January 2025. “All programme vehicles shall remain grounded,” Muriuki added, confirming that thousands of workers across the country would lose their jobs.
In Kisii County, the impact has been equally devastating. County Health Executive Committee Member Ronald Nyakweba confirmed that 518 workers under HIV/AIDS programmes had been suspended.
While he reassured the public that there was no need to panic about medication shortages, he said, “These workers were employed by the county and Faith-Based Organisations but were being paid by the US government.”
The University of Nairobi also felt the blow, sending an undisclosed number of staff from the USAID-funded Fahari Ya Jamii (FYJ) project on mandatory unpaid leave.
The programme, which helps provide vital HIV care and prevention services in Nairobi and Kajiado counties, was forced to suspend operations due to the 90-day “Stop Work Order” issued by the US government.
The order has left many workers in limbo, uncertain of their futures.
As Jeff Graham from the US State Department noted, the waiver that temporarily lifts some restrictions will only cover life-saving services such as ARVs, HIV testing, and care for advanced HIV disease, but leaves much of the broader programme in limbo.
The full impact of these cuts will likely be felt for months to come, leaving the workers caught in the middle waiting for answers.