The "Financial Aid Dialogue" in Nairobi continued its crucial discussions last week at the 7th Memorial Gallery, shifting focus to a particularly vulnerable area: the impact of the USAID funding freeze on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Gender, Education, and Health initiatives across Kenya. This second panel brought forward urgent concerns about the country's capacity to sustain vital programs without this significant external support.
The session featured compelling contributions from Catherine Syokau, Head of Programs at Sight of Relief Organization, and David Waithaka, Director of Palaver Grove Institute, Cultural Diplomat & Community Developer. Their perspectives offered both a stark warning and a potent call to action for Kenya's self-reliance.
A Looming Crisis: SRHR and Persons with Disabilities
Catherine Syokau opened her contribution by asserting that while discussions focused on sustainable resilience beyond financial aid, Kenya "needs to brace up for what's coming." She directly addressed the immediate consequences of USAID's withdrawal, noting significant cuts to gender, education, and health-related programs that are essential for daily operations.
As a person with a disability, Syokau offered a deeply personal and professional perspective. She highlighted her pivotal role in advocating for SRHR, particularly for women and girls with disabilities, a group that already faces immense difficulties in accessing such vital services and knowledge. Her work with the "Dreams Project" in Mukuru Kwa Njenga informal settlement provides a tangible example of how crucial USAID funding has been in supporting advocacy and direct access to SRHR information for disabled young women and girls. The abrupt removal of this funding, she warned, poses a "huge impact" on these critical initiatives.
Syokau further elaborated on the broader challenge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Kenya. She lamented the lack of comprehensive implementation of DEI principles, even in workplaces, making societal inclusion a continuous struggle. Poignantly, she stated that "disability is a club, one can join anytime under unclear circumstances." This powerful analogy underscored the universal relevance of creating a truly inclusive society, a safe space where individuals, regardless of ability, can "co-exist and be happy."
Beyond Aid: Accountability and Domestic Solutions
In a surprising yet resolute turn, Catherine Syokau declared that "funding aid is a death sentence," citing her stance from Hamisa's book, Debt Aid. She strongly believes that USAID withdrawing from Africa is "a huge step to saving our country," even if the immediate benefits aren't yet visible. This perspective challenges the conventional narrative around aid, forcing a critical re-evaluation of its long-term impact on national sovereignty and self-determination.
Complementing Syokau's insights, David Waithaka stressed the imperative for Kenya to work collectively towards genuine inclusivity. He directly linked the challenges Catherine highlighted in gender, health, and education to a pervasive lack of accountability within the country. Waithaka cited an NTV report indicating that Kenya loses a staggering "30% of our GDP annually," often in efforts to secure foreign aid. He questioned why the government couldn't instead leverage its existing resources and funds to achieve sustainable resilience, rather than relying on external assistance.
Both speakers converged on the urgent need for alternative domestic funding models to sustain Kenyan initiatives. They pointed to technology as a powerful tool for bridging gaps in access to education and health services, particularly for marginalized women, girls, and remote areas. The call was for locally developed digital tools and platforms to provide crucial health information and educational content, ensuring that vital knowledge is accessible even without traditional aid channels.
Catherine Syokau added a critical observation about the "entitlement mentality" prevalent among some Kenyans, suggesting a societal expectation of being "given" rather than working to harness resources themselves. She presented compelling, heart-wrenching examples of direct impact from the USAID withdrawal: HIV/AIDS patients losing access to free drugs, children with disabilities at risk of convulsions without daily medication, and pupils with disabilities losing access to tailored educational structures previously funded by USAID. These powerful illustrations brought the abstract concept of aid cuts to a very human level.
The Way Forward: Impact, Influence, and Localized Solutions
David Waithaka offered a hopeful pathway forward, drawing a parallel to the biblical story of Moses: "We start by using what we have as a nation before we can think of what's ahead." He urged young people and the nation to rally together, developing empowerment programs that educate society on how to move beyond aid. Both he and Catherine emphasized the government's crucial role in achieving this through greater accountability, stressing that widespread corruption and mismanagement of funds are significant roadblocks to self-sufficiency.
Catherine Syokau further broadened the scope of domestic funding, encouraging public benefit organizations to seek support from well-functional local companies like Safaricom and Coca-Cola, and to leverage existing government programs for community-based projects. She urged these organizations to collaborate on grant applications, pooling resources for maximum societal benefit.
David Waithaka's call to action for all Kenyans, especially young leaders, was to "build impact." He explained that impact leads to influence, which in turn brings change and ultimately, income. By focusing on creating tangible impact, young people build their reputation and attract support for their goals. He emphasized "globalization through localization," urging Kenyans to network and participate in international forums like the AU, UN, and WHO, bringing local perspectives to global discussions.
Catherine concluded with a strong appeal for benchmarking and for young leaders to seize opportunities as they arise. She pressed leaders of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to apply for grants collectively, ensuring funds benefit the broader society. Empowerment of women and girls in SRHR through digital means was a key recommendation. She advocated for mutual support among leaders, sharing opportunities to create a better society, and for holding the government accountable for inclusivity, amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities, women, and the girl child.
Finally, Syokau championed social entrepreneurship, urging a mindset shift from victimization and dependence to proactive contribution. Innovation and creativity, especially leveraging technology, are vital. Above all, the panelists concluded, efforts should operate from a place of love and impact, understanding that true influence and financial sustainability will follow.
