Narok County Senator Ledama Ole Kina has disclosed that Kenya does not need foreign assistance days after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order stopping foreign aid.
In a statement on his official X account on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Ledama said that relying on aid from foreign countries will limit the opportunities for Kenyans to be industrious and creative.
Ledama further noted that the country can achieve financial independence only if Kenyan leaders learn to live within the means of the country, eliminate corruption, and instill citizenry with the spirit of patriotism.
“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!” Olekina wrote.
Trump’s foreign aid order
Trump, on his first day in office on Monday, January 20, 2025, signed executive orders temporarily suspending all foreign assistance for a period of 90 days pending reviews.
Trump’s move is likely to put many countries across the world that rely on US funding, including Kenya, at risk of having ongoing programmes in various sectors stall.
Kenya enjoys US government-driven assistance of approximately Ksh208 billion annually to its economy, and about 20 US agencies and departments have directly contributed to Kenya’s growth and development since 2001.
They include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which spearheads US bilateral efforts in agriculture and food security, education, and health.
According to Trump, the US foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and, in many cases, are contrary to American values.
“They serve to destabilise world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries,” Trump’s executive order reads in part.
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
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