The government has moved to allay concerns about a potential crisis among HIV/AIDS patients following US President Donald Trump's recent directive.
In one of his first executive orders in his second term as President, Trump suspended the supply of HIV drugs to countries supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
During a press conference on Wednesday, January 29, Director-General for Health, Dr Patrick Amoth, reassured the public by addressing concerns and confirming that the government has a sufficient supply of antiretrovirals (ARVs) that will remain consistently available.
"I want to assure Kenyans that we have sufficient stock of HIV commodities, including ARVs and testing commodities. We have strengthened our supply chain pipeline to ensure continuous availability," Amoth affirmed.
Similarly, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that Trump's directive did not have significant adverse effects on HIV patients in the country.
According to Mwaura, the government is exploring potential alternatives and partnerships to ensure an uninterrupted supply of ARVs.
"The government is actively mobilising local resources, seeking new partnerships and donors to ensure that treatment and care continue uninterrupted," he stated.
On January 24, 2025, a memo detailing President Trump's order to reevaluate and realign United States foreign aid was released, effectively initiating a 90-day pause on disbursements of foreign assistance.
The “stop-work order,” approved by the US Secretary of State, primarily affects HIV/AIDS patients, including those in Kenya, as they depend on the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Amid uncertainty over the fate of US aid, large organisations with significant PEPFAR funding remain apprehensive about responding to Trump's directive until the 90-day period lapses, when the US State Department will review their grants.
After this period, the US will decide whether to modify or discontinue the foreign assistance programme altogether.
Regarding foreign aid, former President Uhuru Kenyatta recently criticised African nations that expressed outrage over Trump's executive orders, urging them to develop mechanisms to become self-sufficient.
