Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The US government has confirmed the termination of key assistance programs, including those benefiting Kenya, in letters sent to implementing partners on February 27, 2024.
One of the affected programs is the USAID Tujenge Jamii initiative, a partnership between USAID, Deloitte, FHI 360, and Goldstar. Deloitte Director Bernadette Wahogo-Irungu stated that the termination letter served as a formal end to the project, citing a directive from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The termination letter read, “Your award is being terminated for convenience and the interests of the U.S. government… Secretary Rubio and the Deputy Administrator Peter Marocco have determined your award is not aligned with Agency priorities and made a determination that continuing this program is not in the national interest.”
The USAID Tujenge Jamii project focused on critical health services, including HIV prevention and treatment, nutrition, and maternal health. The termination notices affected all USAID partners worldwide, with the United Nations also reporting the termination of its grants with USAID and the US State Department.
These funding cuts are part of a broader wave of U.S. defunding measures targeting humanitarian aid organizations since late January, leaving millions vulnerable.
The decision follows a significant policy shift by President Donald Trump, who, on January 20, 2025, signed an executive order cancelling USAID activities.
With international assistance programs winding down, concerns are mounting over the impact on essential health and humanitarian services globally.
