Kenya is bracing for significant ripple effects after United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order halting American support for 66 international organisations, several of which play a critical role in the country’s development and security landscape.
The directive, signed on Wednesday, January 7, follows a comprehensive review by the Trump administration on U.S. participation and financial contributions to various global bodies. The White House stated that the move targets organisations deemed misaligned with American national interests.
A substantial number of the affected entities are linked to the United Nations and focus on climate action, labour, migration, gender equality, education, and urban development. Among the most notable is the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), which is headquartered in Nairobi. UN-Habitat works closely with national and county governments in Kenya on urban planning, affordable housing, and sustainable city development.
The United States has also withdrawn from UN Women, an agency instrumental in supporting initiatives against gender-based violence and promoting women’s empowerment across Kenya. Education programmes are set to feel the strain following the suspension of funding to Education Cannot Wait, while reproductive health and youth-focused interventions face uncertainty after the U.S. exit from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Kenya’s climate and energy sectors are similarly affected. The executive order includes withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, both of which provide technical guidance and data used in national policy formulation.
Security cooperation has not been spared. The U.S. has pulled out of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, a platform that has supported Kenya’s efforts against Al-Shabaab by strengthening counterterrorism strategies while promoting respect for human rights.
In a statement, President Trump said the decision followed consultations with his Cabinet and was based on a determination that continued involvement in the listed organisations no longer served U.S. interests. He directed all federal agencies to implement the withdrawals immediately.
The move comes less than a year after the U.S. suspended funding to the World Health Organisation and USAID, further reshaping Kenya’s international support environment.