In a significant development, a partial waiver on US President Donald Trump's freeze on foreign aid brings relief to some Kenyan USAID employees.
The freeze, initiated just hours after Trump assumed office, had caused widespread concern, including the potential loss of jobs for over 35,000 Kenyans employed under the USAID programs.
Following a 90-day pause on foreign development assistance, the waiver, announced by the US government, temporarily restores the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program.
This move enables employees involved in HIV care, treatment, and prevention services to return to work.
The waiver specifically applies to life-saving HIV services, including testing, treatment, and mother-to-child transmission prevention, providing a lifeline for vulnerable populations, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In Kenya, the waiver has already had an immediate impact, with at least 568 employees in Homa Bay County being called back to work on February 7.
However, some limitations remain in place, such as a freeze on offering Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to individuals at risk of HIV who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.
As a temporary measure, this move allows crucial health workers, laboratory staff, and supply chain employees to continue their vital work, securing the continuity of HIV/AIDS care in Kenya during this challenging period.
Additionally, a US judge has temporarily blocked Trump’s move to place USAID employees on paid leave, adding another layer of uncertainty to the ongoing situation.
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