Several directives have ramifications for Kenya ranging from climate action to trade, foreign aid, and gender policies.
United States (US) President Donald Trump on Monday, January 20 embarked on a lightning start to his second regime, signing a series of Executive Orders the minute he took his oath.
However, some of the orders could reshape US foreign policy and even affect its long-standing relationship with Kenya. Several directives have ramifications for Kenya ranging from climate action to trade, foreign aid, and gender policies.
Let’s take a look at the directives that could hit Kenya where it really hurts:
Foreign Aid
In a surprise move, Trump ordered a 90-day pause in foreign development assistance pending assessments of efficiencies and consistency with his foreign policy. Kenya is among countries that depend on aid from the US.
The order said “the foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values” and “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.”
“All department and agency heads responsible for United States foreign development assistance programs shall immediately pause new obligations and disbursements of development assistance funds,” read the executive order signed by Trump.
US President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders on January 20, 2025. /AP
As outlined in the new policy, some foreign aid programmes may be stopped if deemed to be violating the Trump administration policies. “Reviews of each foreign assistance program shall be ordered by the responsible department and agency heads under guidelines provided by the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).” read the order in part.
“The responsible department and agency heads, in consultation with the Director of OMB, will make determinations within 90 days of this order on whether to continue, modify, or cease each foreign assistance program based upon the review recommendations, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.”
In May 2024, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that it would be investing close to Ksh4.1 billion in Kenya’s dedication system. This order means that if Kenya is deemed not to align with U.S. foreign policy objectives, critical funding for public health initiatives, including HIV/AIDS treatment programs, could be reduced. This could significantly impact thousands of Kenyans who rely on subsidised healthcare services.
Reduction in foreign aid could also affect many Kenyans who work with U.S. development partners or those whose businesses depend heavily on U.S. foreign aid.
End Of Birthright Citizenship
President Trump’s “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship” executive order introduces stricter regulations on birthright citizenship, which will affect Kenyans living, studying or working in the US.
“The Fourteenth Amendment has always excluded from birthright citizenship persons who were born in the United States but not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Consistent with this understanding, the Congress has further specified through legislation that “a person born in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” is a national and citizen of the United States at birth, 8 U.S.C. 1401, generally mirroring the Fourteenth Amendment’s text,” the White House stated.
Simply put, anyone born in the United States and not subject to the jurisdiction thereof does not automatically qualify to be a US citizen. For example, children born to Kenyans living in the U.S. but are not U.S. citizens, will no longer automatically receive American citizenship.
Kenyan parents on temporary visas who give birth in the U.S. may now face complications in securing citizenship for their children. If the child is not eligible for U.S. citizenship and struggles to obtain Kenyan nationality due to documentation issues, they could become stateless.
However, in New Hampshire, immigration advocates have already filed a lawsuit opposing Trump’s decision to end birthright citizenship.
US Pulling Out Of Global Climate Agreements
One of President Trump’s first executive orders mandates the immediate withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement and other climate-related international commitments. Trump has on several occasions downplayed the impact of climate change, saying that it should not be a priority for the U.S. government.
Kenya, which has been a beneficiary of climate finance from the U.S., particularly in projects related to renewable energy, afforestation, and climate resilience, could see reduced funding.
The revocation of the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan means that Kenya will have to seek alternative funding sources for its climate adaptation strategies.
Moreover, Kenya’s commitment to green energy through initiatives like the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project could suffer setbacks, especially if international climate funds shrink due to the U.S.’s disengagement.
US Exit From WHO
In another surprising move, Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of withdrawing the US from the World Health Organization (WHO). This marks the second time Trump has ordered the US to be pulled out of the WHO. Trump has previously stated that he would cut funding to the WHO and the United Nations – agencies that collaborate with UNAids by leveraging support for the Global Fund.
Trump was critical of how the international body handled COVID-19 and began the process of pulling out from the Geneva-based institution during the pandemic. President Joe Biden later reversed that decision.
Carrying out this executive action on day one makes it more likely the US will formally leave the global agency. “They wanted us back so badly so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said in the Oval Office, referring to the WHO, perhaps hinting the US might return eventually.
The order said the US was withdrawing “due to the organization’s mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”.
WHO has since not taken the directive lying down, with Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus urging the United States to reconsider the withdrawal order. “The World Health Organisation regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organisation,” Ghebreyesus said.
“WHO plays a crucial role in protecting the health and security of the world’s people, including Americans, by addressing the root causes of disease, building stronger health systems, and detecting, preventing and responding to health emergencies, including disease outbreaks, often in dangerous places where others cannot go.”
The Global Fund is among the highest funders of Kenya’s health system. Kenya’s total commodity allocation for HIV services is Ksh28.7 billion, of which Ksh5.3 billion comes from the Global Fund and Ksh3.3 billion from the Kenyan Government. Trump’s directive could pose serious trouble to the state of Kenya’s health system due to a lack of funding.
Deportation
During his inaugural speech, Trump announced plans to fulfil his campaign promise of conducting mass deportations upon assuming office. Outlining a series of actions aimed at reshaping his new administration’s policies, Trump specifically targeted individuals living in the US without proper documentation. He stated, “We will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
According to Trump, his push for the deportation of undocumented immigrants is intended to bolster national security and ensure that US resources primarily benefit its citizens. An enactment of this order puts at least 30,000 Kenyans, believed to be living in the US without proper documentation, at risk.
US President, Donald Trump. /ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kenyans residing in metropolitan areas across the US are particularly under threat, as there are indications that immigration raids could commence almost immediately, with Trump appearing resolute in fulfilling his campaign promises.
According to the International Migrant Stock 2020 dataset by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the US hosts the highest number of Kenyan migrants (157,000), followed by the United Kingdom (139,000).
America First Trade Policy
The “America First” trade policy seeks to address trade imbalances and prioritise U.S. industries through potential tariff adjustments, stricter trade agreements, and reviews of existing partnerships.
Given that Kenya has a growing trade relationship with the U.S., these changes could introduce new dynamics between the two countries. One key area of interest is the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows Kenya to export goods to the U.S. duty-free.
While the specific impact of Trump’s America First Trade policy remains unclear for now, businesses and policymakers will be closely watching how these policies unfold and what they mean for Kenya’s access to the U.S. market.
Gender Policy Changes
Trump’s order on gender ideology reinstates traditional definitions of gender in federal policy, barring government recognition of gender identity beyond biological sex. On the other hand, Kenya has made strides in promoting gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights, albeit cautiously.
“It is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female. These sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality. Under my direction, the Executive Branch will enforce all sex-protective laws to promote this reality,” Trump directed.
U.S.-funded initiatives in gender inclusion and human rights advocacy could see reductions, affecting NGOs and civil society organisations pushing for gender-related reforms in Kenya.
Furthermore, this shift in U.S. policy may embolden conservative groups in Kenya to advocate for restrictive policies on gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights, potentially fueling social debates and policy shifts within the country.
Trump’s executive orders have faced criticism from the international community, including lobby groups that have expressed their intention to challenge the directives in court.