Principal Secretary (PS) for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has decried the move by the United States (US) to issue a halt to nearly all existing foreign assistance and pause new aid.

Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, January 28, 2024, PS Sing’oei said that the pause by the US will impair the ability of many African countries to meet health and other targets.

The move, the PS said, will also undermine the realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He went ahead to urge US President Trump’s administration to provide new pathways for cushioning the most vulnerable populations.

The announced pause to US Foreign Assistance will unfortunately impair the ability of many african countries to meet health and other targets and undermine the realization of SDGs. We hope President Trump’s administration will provide new pathways for cushioning most vulnerable…

— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) January 28, 2025

PS Korir Sing’oei’s appeal

However, Sing’oei appealed to African states to rise up to the challenge and seize the opportunity to wean themselves from external dependency.

“The announced pause to US foreign assistance will unfortunately impair the ability of many African countries to meet health and other targets and undermine the realization of SDGs.

“We hope President Trump’s administration will provide new pathways for cushioning the most vulnerable populations. Equally, African states must rise up to the challenge and seize the opportunity to wean themselves from external dependency,” Sing’oei stated.

Senator Ledama’s take

Narok County Senator Ledama Olekina has, on the other hand, differed with PS Sing’oei on the US foreign aid, stating that Kenya does not need the US foreign aid.

Ledama, in a statement shared via his official X account on Tuesday, January 28, argued that relying on aid from the West limits the country’s opportunities to be industrious and creative.

The lawmaker further stated that Kenya must learn to live within her means, eliminate corruption, and instill a spirit of patriotism in her citizens.

“We don’t need aid in Kenya; we can do it on our own! Relying on aid from the West limits our opportunities to be industrious and creative. From now on, we must learn to live within our means, eliminate corruption, and instill a spirit of patriotism in our citizens. Together, let’s build a brighter future for our country. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump and @USAID; it’s time!” Senator Ledama wrote on X.

We don’t need aid in Kenya; we can do it on our own! Relying on aid from the West limits our opportunities to be industrious and creative. From now on, we must learn to live within our means, eliminate corruption, and instill a spirit of patriotism in our citizens. Together,…

— Sen. Ledama Olekina (@ledamalekina) January 28, 2025