Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged African leaders to stop lamenting over U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to cut foreign aid to developing nations, calling for greater self-reliance in the region.
Speaking at the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit in Mombasa on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Uhuru emphasized that Africa must learn to utilize its own resources efficiently instead of depending on external funding.
“I saw some leaders the other day crying that Trump has cut funding. But the truth is, America is not your government, and he has no obligation to give you anything. You don’t pay taxes there, and he is serving his people’s interests,” Uhuru remarked.
He urged African governments to redirect their priorities, citing excessive spending on conflicts instead of development.
“No one will continue holding your hand forever. It’s time we used our resources wisely instead of spending them on unnecessary wars. The weapons we buy are not given for free—we purchase them, and worse, we use them against our own people,” he added.
Trump’s Foreign Aid Freeze
Upon assuming office, Trump immediately ordered a three-month suspension of most foreign development assistance. His administration cited the need to review funding allocations to align them with the “America First” policy.
According to Voice of America (VOA), the U.S. spent nearly $70 billion on development aid in the 2023 fiscal year, with a significant portion managed through USAID. However, following Trump’s executive order, new aid disbursements—except for urgent food relief—were paused for 90 days pending reassessment.
Uhuru’s remarks reflect growing calls for African nations to move towards self-sufficiency, reducing dependence on foreign aid and making better use of existing resources.
