Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has warned that Kenya might reconsider its commitment to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the wake of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s loss in the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson race.

Amisi suggested that Kenya could mirror former U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to foreign aid, hinting at a possible withdrawal from IGAD in the future. This, according to Amisi, is because IGAD member states largely supported Djibouti’s candidate, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, instead of Raila in the highly contested AUC chairmanship race.

The lawmaker expressed his frustration with IGAD’s stance. He noted that despite Kenya’s strong role in the regional body, its support from IGAD countries was lacking during the election.

“Kenya is a major contributor to IGAD programs. But the support from IGAD countries almost entirely went to Djibouti. Kenya might start behaving like Trump-USAID; in the future!” Amisi declared.

USAID freeze

His comments referenced a recent executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which froze almost all funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The freeze, implemented in January 2025, led to the suspension of numerous humanitarian programs worldwide, affecting projects related to health, food security, and political stability.

Over 1,000 USAID employees and contractors were laid off, with plans to retain only a fraction of the agency’s global workforce. Critics have condemned the move, warning that it endangers crucial aid initiatives, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, and diminishes U.S. influence in global humanitarian efforts.

Raila’s defeat

The former Prime Minister was eliminated from the race following a highly competitive election that extended across six rounds of voting.

He faced a late obstacle from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which rallied behind Madagascar’s candidate.

The election, which took place on February 17, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, saw Mahmoud Ali Youssouf from Djibouti secure victory over Raila after Madagascar’s Richard Randriamandrato was eliminated in the early stages.