Third Way Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has weighed in on the United States’ decision to halt foreign aid for Kenya and other developing countries.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, February 6, 2025, Aukot lauded the decision noting that Kenya is capable of functioning efficiently without relying on foreign aid from the United States.
He explained that the country has enough financial resources for all projects and intiatives, however, greedy politicians stand in the way of this.
While referencing public theft denounced by the previous regime led by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Aukot decried that the country has often been plunged into a financial crisis by glutonous politicians who siphon the money into their pockets at the expense of taxpayers.
He now wants the government to incorporate its security resources to arrest and punish those involved in the vice so as to restore the country’s independence.
“We have a lot of money in this country, if only the government of the day could punish thieves of public money using the auditor general report we would not need USAID, we do not need to borrow money because billions are stolen and even there has been an admission in the past administration where President William Ruto now was Deputy President that they are losing 700 million everyday, why are they not using the state missionary to investigate?” he said.
Aukot’s remarks come amid looming layoffs following the withdrawal of the foreign aid by US President Donald Trump.
Trump’s decision
Trump’s move to halt foreign aid has been met by conflicting opinions from a section of Kenyans and leaders from the political divide.
The US president ordered a three-month pause on almost all foreign aid pending a review to access what fits in with “America First” policy, shortly after he was sworn in on January 20, 2025.
Govt’s response
In response to Trump’s decision, the government announced plans to restructure the national budget to fund programs affected.
Principal Secretary for the State Department of Medical Services Harry Kimtai confirmed the state’s decision noting that the move is a wake up call for Kenya to prioritize the healthcare sector during budgeting.
He also assured Kenyans that the government was taking count on measures to work on the situation.
“As a government we are taking stock of what we need to do because that calls for us to reallocate some of the funds to the programs that are very crucial and were being supported by the US government.
“Our teams are already working on the impact of that order to our healthcare system and we will be able to come up with an assessment of how much we need to invest in our healthcare system in our supplementary and subsequent budget coming. It is a notice to us to start looking at our budget and funding this crucial sectors,” he said.
