Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo has recently expressed disagreement with former President Uhuru Kenyatta following remarks he made about the U.S. withdrawing foreign aid.
Uhuru’s comments, which went viral, came after the U.S. President, Donald Trump, decided to cut financial aid to Kenya and other African nations.
In his statement on January 29, Uhuru said that African countries had no reason to complain about Trump’s decision, arguing that the U.S. government had no obligation to use American taxpayer money to fund foreign aid to Africa.
Uhuru’s statements were met with applause in the U.S., including from high-profile figures such as Elon Musk. However, they also sparked a heated debate, with Kilonzo becoming one of the leading voices opposing Uhuru’s stance.
The governor took to social media, asserting that he completely disagreed with his predecessor’s views. He pointed out that if Uhuru truly believed this while he was in office, he should have made his position clear at the time rather than speaking out now, after stepping down.
Kilonzo further criticized Uhuru for, in his view, laughing at the plight of Kenyans during his presidency. He noted that while Uhuru was in power, programs like USAID were actively contributing to the country’s welfare.
The governor emphasized that healthcare is a crucial issue, and the country must unite to address such matters collectively.
His comments also reflect concerns about the potential negative impact of these aid cuts on Kenyan citizens, especially when it comes to programs that assist with essential services like health.
The controversy comes at a time when the U.S. has reevaluated its foreign aid policies under Trump, citing concerns about inefficiencies in certain programs. USAID, which was founded in 1961, has a substantial annual budget of KSh 5.1 trillion (USD 40 billion), which makes up about 0.6% of U.S. federal spending.
The agency recently announced that due to the funding cuts, “direct-hire personnel” would be put on leave, though it is unclear which specific jobs will be affected.
The ripple effect of these changes could impact at least 10,000 people globally, including approximately 259 workers from Makueni County, who are now at risk of losing their jobs as a result of these budget reductions.
Kilonzo has expressed concerns for the welfare of these individuals, stressing the negative consequences these cuts will have on their livelihoods.
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