Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has recently garnered significant attention in the United States due to his candid remarks regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt foreign aid to various countries.
Speaking at the East Africa Regional Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa on January 29, 2025, Kenyatta criticized African leaders who lamented the aid suspension, emphasizing the need for self-reliance.
He stated, “I saw some people the other day crying that Trump has removed funding, he is not giving us any more money. Why are you crying? It is not your government; it is not your country. You don’t pay taxes in America.”
Kenyatta’s comments have sparked widespread discussion, particularly in the context of Africa’s dependence on foreign assistance.
He urged African nations to view the aid freeze as a wake-up call to utilize their own resources more effectively.
“This is a wake-up call for you to say, ‘okay, what are we going to do to help ourselves?’ Nobody is going to continue holding out a hand there to give you. It is time for us to use our resources for the right things,” he asserted.
The former president’s remarks come in the wake of an executive order issued by President Trump on January 20, which paused almost all humanitarian aid to numerous countries.
This move has significant implications for nations that heavily rely on U.S. assistance through agencies like USAID to fund critical sectors such as health.
In response, some organizations have already notified their clients about the suspension of scheduled programs due to the funding halt.
Kenyatta emphasized that many African governments have the capacity to operate without foreign aid if they manage their resources prudently.
He challenged leaders to prioritize funding for health projects over military expenditures, stating, “It is time for us to use our resources for the right things.”
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is trending in America and this is why! pic.twitter.com/YOvm42Zg16
— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) January 31, 2025
