Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has criticised African leaders who have been complaining after US President Donald Trump withdrew health aid to Africa.
On his inauguration day, the US President signed executive orders, including a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending.
The freeze included current foreign assistance programmes as well, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Also affected was USAID, which would hamper global efforts to combat tuberculosis (TB).
This aid primarily goes to African countries, who responded by urging the American administration to reconsider.
However, speaking during the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa as the chief guest, former President Uhuru Kenyatta challenged African leaders to stop crying foul and instead rethink ways to secure funds to facilitate their needs.
The president urged African leaders to be self-reliant by ensuring they address the challenges they face, enabling them to free up resources for areas where they are most needed.
“I saw some people crying the other day that Trump has withdrawn aid. Why are you crying? It’s not your country, he has no reason to give you anything, you don’t pay taxes in America. This is a wake-up call for you to say, ‘OK, what are we going to do to help ourselves?’” the former president said.
In Kenya, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei called on the newly inaugurated president to propose alternative solutions to safeguard populations in countries like Kenya, which face significant risks in light of the withdrawal.
The former president challenged the leaders to use Africa’s resources for the right purposes and support Africans in living a comfortable life.
“It is time for us to use our resources for the right things. We are the ones using them for the wrong things,” Uhuru continued.
Uhuru has urged the leaders not to rely on foreign aid but instead to prepare their own resources, research, and academia, and invest in independence.
During his speech, Uhuru recounted some of the steps his government took during the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns, the use of masks, Cabinet Secretaries taking pay cuts, and other measures.
The former president advised African leaders to be well-prepared for future health crises and take necessary precautions.
The conference, which runs until Thursday, focuses on regional collaboration in health security. The inaugural summit serves as a platform for strategic partnerships and knowledge sharing to enhance preparedness and response to health threats, including COVID-19 and Mpox.
