Posted on 03/03/2025 12:02:37 PM PST by nickcarraway
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has challenged Kenyans and other African nations over concerns about US President Donald Trump’s decision to cut funding to certain USAID programs.
Speaking in Mombasa during the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit 2025, Uhuru called for greater self-reliance among African nations, questioning the continent’s dependence on foreign aid.
Further, he stated that there was a need for Africa to prioritize its own development, dismissing the panic among Kenyans, for lack of humanitarian aid.
Moreover, he has asked Kenyans to take charge of their own future, saying that America did not owe Africans any aid.
“Funding for this has to come from ourselves because we have to begin to reprioritise what is important for us as Africans and where we put our resources. Let us be ready and prepared. Let us be self-reliant by ensuring that we deal with the challenges that we have.
“I saw some people the other day crying that Trump has removed funding. Why are you crying? It is not your govt nor your country. He has no reason to give you anything. You don’t pay taxes in America,” said Uhuru.
Prioritising Resources Instead of War
On the other hand, the former president argued that African governments should shift their focus towards self-sufficiency, especially in funding critical sectors like health and security.
According to him, Africa has invested more in purchasing weapons for internal conflicts than in strengthening healthcare systems.
“We have actually lost more people to bullets fired by Africans on Africans than we lost to the coronavirus. And we have spent more buying bullets than we have spent on protecting our health and societies,” he said.
He urged African leaders to end unnecessary conflicts and repurpose resources towards development, emphasizing that true progress will only come when the continent prioritizes its own needs over dependency on external support.
“An end to war and a collaboration towards putting an end to these conflicts and repurposing resources towards where they will have the best impact on our population is the most critical agenda for the African continent,” added Uhuru.
Also Read: USAID to Suspend Projects in Kenya and East Africa After Trump Order
Uhuru on kazi Mtaani
Also, Uhuru has dismissed claims that the Kazi Mtaani initiative was started to fulfil the political agenda.
He explained that the main reason the program was launched was to provide financial relief to vulnerable Kenyans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, he noted that while rural dwellers could rely on small farms and livestock, urban residents faced greater economic hardships.
Kazi Mtaani, he explained, was designed to offer temporary employment to those who had lost their income due to pandemic-related restrictions, allowing them to sustain their families during the crisis.
“The Kazi Mtaani program was intended to put money in people’s pockets in order for them to sustain themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic. In rural areas, people had their small plots, cows and toast but in urban areas, this was very difficult.
“Therefore unlike what some people tried to indicate that this was a political agenda, it was totally aimed at ensuring that these Kenyans who through no faults of their own, were unable to go to their places of work at least would have an opportunity to earn a living and continue to support their families during that difficult time,” he explained.
The summit’s objectives are to share lessons learned from recent health crises, develop actionable strategies for pandemic preparedness and response, and foster collaboration to strengthen health security infrastructure across the region.
Double take on the headline. Thought it was a Star Trek episode I missed.
“Speaking in Mombasa during the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit 2025, Uhuru called for greater self-reliance among African nations, questioning the continent’s dependence on foreign aid.”
I like her! Maybe her time in Star Fleet had an impact, after all.
THIS ^^^^
At least somebody gets it.
So-called “foreign aid” is just a platform for corruption, or even worse - outright influence buying and destabilization programs from foreign governments.
Of course, African government elites benefit
Citizens of African countries should demand an end to such corrupt programs.
I agree.
That comment about greater self-reliance among African nations and dependence on aide can be directly related to certain group(s) right here in this country.
it is. Prime Directive...do it your freaking selves! we’re busy with the “cling ons” in our own government.
One word....KICKBACKS
As old as politics itself....which is why democrats are screaming bloody murder about DOGE......the one’s that are screaming the loudest are most likely the biggest grifters.
No more Cargo Cult?
It is also destroying African economy!
The locals cannot compete with FREE help, so they fold.
Just imagine, if China started shipping FREE cars to the US!
The unions will be in arms, dumping will be declared and stopped!
The “help” is actually dumping our surpluses on Africa. They should reject it, unless some real emergency happen.
Of course, most of it ends in the pockets of “connected” people in Africa anyway.
The US federal government doesn’t provide any manufacturing of products or delivery of services that these people need or want. All such products/services, if truly charity & needed, will continue to be manufactured/delivered as the people receiving them will recognize their value and find a way to continue the deliverance.
What’s stopped is the milking of US taxpayers by profiteers who have enriched themselves by inflating the costs of these products/services above their actual value. I’ve been on enough trips to see firsthand how global charity is done in Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, Ecuador, and some other places. For the most part it’s a farce.
No more Big Macs, chicken nuggets and fries. It’s back to giraffe and rhinoceros. The video games are out.
Just wait till they invent the first nuclear spearhead!
There may yet be hope for Africa.
Well said.
I saw this man’s speech a couple weeks ago. Very impressive! Basically, “we need to take care of ourselves”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.