A crisis is looming in the Ministry of Health (MoH) after the United States Government declared that it had suspended funding to the ministry over non-compliance.
According to a letter issued by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Kenyan Government, the US would no longer fund or offer direct assistance to the Ministry of Health.
USAID’s Kenya and East Africa Contracting Officer Brian Woody stated that the Ministry had failed to meet unspecified conditions from the US government and the agency.
“This suspension impacts all MoH departments until such a time as specific conditions have been met.
"If your organization is directly impacted by this suspension, you will receive a separate letter suspending activities and assistance to the MOH.
“Activities such as participation in meetings such as technical working groups, coordination committees, steering committees, intergovernmental fora or other similar groups with the MoH are suspended.
“However, whether you receive a separate letter or not, you are to refrain from any activities further specified in this letter and or inform your contacting or agreement officer immediately,” read the letter in part.
It is not clear how long the suspension will take and the impact the directive will have on national level programs handled by the US government/USAID in Kenya.
The US Embassy will issue a statement today, Tuesday, on the issue.
USAID is a United States Government agency which is primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid.
The decision comes amidst graft in the ministry and a huge shadow under President Donald Trump’s administration after he proposed huge cuts to UN, aid agencies in his 'America First' budget.
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