27 counties scramble to save agriculture plans as USAID funding ends
Flourishing maize farm nearing harvest in Nyandarua in this picture taken on January 31, 2025.
What you need to know:
- The freeze affects programmes worth billions across 27 counties, where USAID has been a cornerstone of agricultural development.
- In Makueni County, for instance, USAID had just launched an ambitious local Food Systems project expected to run until 2029.
The imminent shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) this Friday threatens to derail Kenya's agricultural sector just weeks before the crucial planting season, potentially affecting millions of farmers across the country who depend on various American-funded programmes.
The shutdown, which will place all USAID direct hire personnel on administrative leave globally starting February 7, comes at a critical time when Kenyan farmers are preparing their fields for the long rains season.
The freeze affects programmes worth billions across 27 counties, where USAID has been a cornerstone of agricultural development.
In Makueni County, for instance, where 47 per cent of households face food insecurity, USAID had just launched an ambitious local Food Systems project expected to run until 2029.
"This project was meant to be transformative for our farmers," said an official from the county.
The programme, implemented by TechnoServe, aimed to address nutrition, farmer resilience, and small-scale trader profitability.
The impact of the shutdown will be felt differently across Kenya's diverse agricultural regions. In the Western region, comprising counties like Bungoma, Busia, and Kakamega, USAID's Feed the Future initiative has been important in revolutionising farming practices.
Bungoma County, for instance, has benefited from comprehensive support in increasing agricultural productivity, improving market access, and enhancing resilience to climate change.
"We've seen remarkable progress in our dairy and maize value chains," another official said.
"The abrupt suspension of these programs could reverse years of gains in agricultural transformation."
In the Eastern region, counties including Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, and Taita Taveta have been receiving tailored support based on their specific agricultural challenges.
The Kenya Agricultural Value Chain Enterprises (KAVES) project has been particularly active in these areas, focusing on developing key value chains in dairy, maize, and horticulture sectors.
The shutdown threatens several critical programs that have been the backbone of agricultural development in Kenya.
The Kenya Crops and Dairy Market System (KCDMS) project, which operates across multiple counties, has been crucial in strengthening market systems in the horticulture and dairy sectors.
Similarly, the Strengthening Agricultural Water Innovations (STAWI) project has been essential in improving water management for agriculture, particularly in drought-prone areas.
USAID's financial support has been equally significant.
In 2018 alone, the Feed the Future program supported 42,000 small and medium enterprises and farmers, facilitating loans totaling $4.3 million (approximately Sh567.6 million) and catalysing nearly $1 million (approximately Sh132 million) in new private sector investment.
Total USAID support to Kenya's agriculture is estimated at over a billion dollars.
This financial lifeline now hangs in the balance as the shutdown approaches.
The impact extends beyond direct agricultural support.
USAID's integrated approach has included crucial water and sanitation projects that complement agricultural initiatives.
In 2018, these projects helped over 472,000 Kenyans access clean drinking water and enabled 388,000 to access improved sanitation facilities for the first time.
In the high-rainfall areas of Western Kenya, USAID's support has focused on sixteen counties including Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo-Marakwet, and Uasin Gishu.
These regions have benefited from programs targeting increased productivity in staple crops and dairy farming.
The support has included access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and modern farming techniques.
The shutdown raises particular concerns about the continuation of climate resilience programs, especially in regions where USAID has been helping communities adapt to changing weather patterns. Five counties had recently created action plans to inform their development and attract funding, efforts that may now be compromised.
"While some programs may continue through local partners, the absence of USAID oversight and technical support could affect program effectiveness," said another source who wished to remain anonymous.
The agency's announcement indicates that only personnel responsible for "mission-critical functions" will remain active, with plans to terminate many Personal Service Contracts (PSC) and Institutional Support Contracts (ISC).
For newer initiatives, like the recently launched Feed the Future project in Makueni, the shutdown creates uncertainty about long-term commitments. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who had welcomed the partnership, now faces the challenge of finding alternative support for affected programs, including the critical STAWI water project in his county.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of development-dependent agricultural systems to external political decisions. As Kenya's planting season approaches, the agricultural sector faces the immediate challenge of maintaining momentum in critical food security initiatives while navigating the uncertainty of one of its largest development partners' sudden departure.
With agriculture accounting for 33 per cent of Kenya's GDP and providing income for three-quarters of the population, the impact of USAID's shutdown could have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy and food security. As county governments and local implementing partners scramble to identify alternative support mechanisms, the future of Kenya's agricultural transformation hangs in the balance.
While USAID would not comment on record on the stop work order, a source at the American Embassy in Nairobi said waiver requests were being filed in order to have some programmes remain operational.