Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has implored US senators to reconsider their stance on the country's President's Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding for Kenya's HIV/AIDs programs.
Speaking at a meeting with the delegates of the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in Washington DC on February 1, Mudavadi urged Arkansas Senator John Boozman to help resolve the issue that has seen the program's shelf life reduced from a five to one-year plan.
"I also urged the Senator to help resolve US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding for Kenya’s HIV/AIDs programs," Mudavadi stated on his social media page X following the meeting.
The program was downscaled by House Republicans who are seeking to ban nongovernmental organisations from receiving the funding.
The Republicans further delayed the funding by Ksh160 billion creating shortages in several beneficiary countries including Kenya.
Currently, the changes are still enshrined in a motion in the US. However, if it becomes law, over 1.4 million Kenyans depending on the funding may face various challenges including accessing medication.
On top of seeking a resolution for the PEFAR program, Mudavadi further lobbied the US to extend Africa Growth and Opportunity (AGOA).
The agreement that was signed into law on May 18, 2000, has seen African countries export their goods to the American market.
Reports indicate that the agreement will be terminated in 2025 at a time when Kenya is seeking to extend its agricultural value chain into the American market.
Kenyan exporters will be among the most affected by the termination as they will be subjected to heavy taxation and duties together with stiff competition in their efforts to supply goods to the US.
"US support for the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) 21 replenishment to enhance concessional financing to poor countries and reparations for Kenyan victims of the 1998 terrorist bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi also featured in the talks," Mudavadi further added.
Mudavadi travelled to the US on January 30, for a three-day diplomatic visit.
