A severe health crisis is unfolding in Kenya’s informal settlements following the sudden withdrawal of U.S. aid, leaving thousands without access to critical care.
The international nonprofit CFK Africa, which has long empowered youth and provided public health services in these communities, is grappling with the fallout of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding freeze.
The abrupt cutoff, which occurred in January, has led to widespread layoffs and disrupted decades of efforts to combat diseases like tuberculosis and HIV.
Patients are now flocking to CFK Africa’s clinics, anxious about their future care. Many are stockpiling medications, fearing the worst.
Eddah Ogogo, CFK Africa’s Program Lead for Clinical Services, described the desperation among patients. “Some are asking if they will die,” she said.
They’re seeking longer prescriptions and planning for a future without care.
The funding cuts have thrown CFK Africa’s operations into chaos. Clinics are overwhelmed with patients who previously relied on USAID-funded programs, now shuttered.
Staff are uncertain how to communicate the situation to those they serve, and access to vital data has been severely limited.
Jeffrey Okoro, CFK Africa’s Executive Director, emphasized the broader implications of the aid withdrawal. “There’s a lot of misunderstanding about aid work. It’s not just about resources—it’s about restoring dignity and reducing suffering,” he said.
We’re doing everything we can to reassure our patients and stay focused on our mission. Our communities come first.
As the situation grows more dire, officials are urging the Kenyan government and other NGOs to step in to fill the gap left by USAID. For now, CFK Africa remains committed to its mission, even as the road ahead remains uncertain.
