The US government's freeze on foreign aid, especially through USAid has caused major disruptions in Kenya's health sector, particularly in HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis programmes that heavily rely on donor support.
In January, a 90-day review of foreign assistance triggered a stop-work order affecting numerous initiatives, including the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar).
Though a limited waiver was granted on February 1, 2025, to allow "life-saving humanitarian assistance" under Pepfar, critical services had already been disrupted.
The waiver covered vital HIV/Aids services such as antiretroviral therapy, HIV testing and counseling, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, TB treatment for co-infected patients, lab services, and supply chain operations.
