Kenya Dealt Major Blow as Donald Trump Pulls US Funding From Nairobi-Based UN Agencies
Kenya has suffered a significant diplomatic and development setback after United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending America’s participation in and funding of 66 international organisations, several of which have direct links to Kenya.
The executive order, signed on Wednesday, January 7, directs the immediate withdrawal of US support from a wide range of global organisations, agencies and commissions following a review conducted by the Trump administration on Washington’s involvement and financial commitments.
According to the order published by the White House, many of the affected bodies are linked to the United Nations, with a strong focus on climate change, labour, migration, gender equality and development programmes—areas that play a critical role in Kenya’s policy planning and international partnerships.
Among the most high-profile casualties of the decision is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), whose global headquarters are based in Nairobi. UN-Habitat plays a central role in supporting urban planning, affordable housing and sustainable city development across Kenya and the wider developing world.
The agency works closely with national and county governments to develop urban policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks aimed at managing rapid urbanisation, a key challenge for Kenya’s fast-growing cities.
The United States has also withdrawn from UN Women, a major global agency that supports programmes tackling gender-based violence and advancing women’s rights. The agency has been actively involved in projects across Kenya, including initiatives aimed at economic empowerment and protection of vulnerable women and girls.
In a further blow to Kenya’s social sector, Trump’s order halted US funding to Education Cannot Wait, a global fund that supports access to education for children affected by conflict and displacement, including refugee populations in Kenya.
Support has also been withdrawn from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which plays a key role in reproductive health services, youth programmes and population data collection used by Kenyan policymakers.
Other organisations affected include the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD), which promotes racial equality and inclusion across Africa, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), whose climate assessments are widely used by Kenya in environmental planning and climate adaptation strategies.
The US has additionally pulled out of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, a body that provides policy guidance relied upon by Kenya’s energy planners as the country expands its renewable energy capacity.
Kenya’s security efforts have also been dealt a setback following America’s withdrawal from the Global Counterterrorism Forum, an organisation that supports Kenya’s fight against Al-Shabaab militants. The forum assists member states in strengthening counterterrorism laws while promoting respect for human rights.
Explaining the decision, Trump said the move was driven by US national interests.
“I have considered the Secretary of State’s report and, after deliberating with my Cabinet, have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of or support the organisations listed,” Trump said.
He added:
“I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawal of the United States from these organisations.”
The decision marks another major shift in US foreign policy under Trump and comes less than a year after his administration suspended funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID)—moves that also had far-reaching consequences for developing countries, including Kenya.
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Kenya Dealt Major Blow as Donald Trump Pulls US Funding From Nairobi-Based UN Agencies