The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced that all its staff worldwide will be placed on administrative leave starting this Friday.
The U.S. government’s aid agency also revealed plans to recall all American citizens currently on overseas assignments.
According to a statement from USAID, the staff leave will begin just before midnight on Friday, marking the onset of significant changes as President Donald Trump’s controversial policies targeting the agency begin to take effect.
The agency clarified that the leave will apply to all USAID direct-hire personnel, with exceptions made for staff involved in mission-critical functions, core leadership, and special programs.
“Essential personnel who are required to continue working will be notified by agency leadership by Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM (EST),” the statement posted on USAID’s official website reads.
This decision threatens the jobs of over 35,000 employees working on USAID-funded programs in Kenya alone, with a broader global impact.
Among the affected are nearly 2,000 doctors and clinical officers, over 1,200 nurses and midwives, nearly 600 laboratory staff, more than 340 pharmacists. And many more workers.
USAID plays a key role in funding health and emergency programs in around 120 countries, including some of Africa’s poorest regions, as part of the U.S.’s soft power strategy to counter international rivals.
For personnel currently stationed abroad, USAID, in coordination with the Department of State, is preparing plans to comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
The agency will arrange and cover the cost of staff members’ return travel to the United States within the next 30 days.
Additionally, USAID will terminate Personal Services Contracts (PSC) and Institutional Support Contracts (ISC) that are deemed non-essential, though exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis for personal or family hardships, safety concerns, or other specific needs.

US President Donald Trump.
This move comes shortly after the U.S. government froze over $13 million (Sh1.7 billion) in funding for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Mission in Haiti.
The United Nations confirmed the development on Tuesday, surprising many, including officials in Kenya.
“The U.S. had committed $15 million to the trust fund, of which $1.7 million had already been spent. Therefore, $13.3 million is now frozen,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said, adding that the U.S. had issued an immediate stop-work order for their contribution.