On Friday, March 28, the US State Department took action to shut down the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). US president Donald Trump has signed several executive orders since assuming power. Why USAID is sacking employees The department sent a note to all employees worldwide with the subject line “USAID’s final mission.” CBS News reported that the agency informed USAID personnel that it would terminate all positions not mandated by law and informed Congress of its intention to discontinue all USAID functions that do not match with President Donald Trump’s administration policies.
A memorandum by the agency sent to overseas employees showed a majority of USAID personnel will be declared redundant on either July 1 or September 2, 2025. “Because your position is being abolished, you will be separated from the Foreign Service,” the first line of the memo stated. The Washington Post reported that USAID employees were asked to vacate their desks by 1pm. “Unfortunately, USAID deviated from its basic goal long ago. This misinformed and financially reckless era has now ended, thanks to President Trump, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed plans to abolish USAID.
However, Rubio noted the US government would continue to provide “essential lifesaving programmes.” The official emphasised that the State Department was providing exemptions for humanitarian and lifesaving assistance, including USAID’s flagship HIV treatment programme PEPFAR. How many Kenyans were affected? According to The Standard, thousands of persons living with HIV are now without proper care as a result of the dismissal of over 41,000 health workers who were previously supported by the US government.
The majority of those fired were frontline staff members committed to helping TB and HIV patients by offering crucial care and assistance. As part of an integration effort, HIV services were transferred to hospital outpatient facilities after Trump signed a stop-work order in January. Before the foreign aid freeze, Comprehensive Care Clinics (CCC) provided HIV testing, antiretroviral treatment (ARV) distribution, viral load testing, and counselling services to those living with HIV. As Kenya’s county governments and the Ministry of Health incorporate services into outpatient departments, the clinics have subsequently closed. How many USAID programmes will be affected? Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that Rubio stated that to save Washington DC billions of money, 5,200 of USAID’s global programmes had been cancelled.
The US official said the remaining 17% of the initiatives would be managed by the State Department. American billionaire Elon Musk who was picked by Trump to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), backed the move to cancel 83% of USAID programmes. Musk alleged that USAID used public funds to support bioweapons development through COVID-19. He said this after two top USAID security officers were suspended by the Trump administration for barring DOGE members from accessing restricted areas of the building.
by Japhet Ruto
