Kenyan USAID staff to be placed on leave on Friday

Ronald Owili
2 Min Read

Kenyans working directly with the United States for Agency for International Development (USAID) will proceed on administrative leave on Friday as President Donald Trump’s administration moves in to shut down the agency.

This follows a statement by the agency on its website announcing that all its direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally, with the exception of designated personnel responsible for mission-critical functions, core leadership and specially designated programs

“Essential personnel expected to continue working will be informed by Agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, at 3:00pm (EST),” said USAID in a statement on its website.

The move is expected to affect projects and hundreds on Kenyan staff who are part of the agency’s 10,000 workforce worldwide.

The latest directive is likely to affect various programmes being undertaken by the agency in Kenya in sectors such as education, health, environment and agriculture.

Earlier this week, National Treasury Secretary John Mbadi played down the suspension in international aid by President Donald Trump saying the government will cover affected areas.

“For USAID personnel currently posted outside the United States, the Agency, in coordination with missions and the Department of State, is currently preparing a plan, in accordance with all applicable requirements and laws, under which the Agency would arrange and pay for return travel to the United States within 30 days and provide for the termination of PSC and ISC contracts that are not determined to be essential,” USAID stated.

The Agency says it will also consider case-by-case exceptions and return travel extensions based on personal or family hardship, mobility or safety concerns, or other reasons.

“For example, the Agency will consider exceptions based on the timing of dependents’ school term, personal or familial medical needs, pregnancy, and other reasons. Further guidance on how to request an exception will be forthcoming,” it added.

 

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