Kenyan HIV patients face uncertainty as the freeze on U.S. foreign aid halts the distribution of vital antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.
Despite millions of doses being stored in a Nairobi warehouse, clinics struggle to supply patients with more than a month’s worth of medication.
Alice Okwirry, a 50-year-old HIV patient, used to receive six-month supplies but now only gets enough for one month.
“I was just seeing death now coming,” she said, fearing what could happen to her.
Okwirry was diagnosed with HIV in 2008 and has a 15-year-old daughter, Chichi, who is also HIV-positive.
Funding crisis and stalled distribution
Although the U.S. State Department issued a waiver to exempt HIV treatment from the freeze, logistical hurdles remain.
The USAID payment system in Kenya remains inactive, preventing contractors from resuming operations.
Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin, a former USAID official, revealed that the warehouse contains $34 million worth of medical supplies, including 2.5 million bottles of ARVs.
However, according to a Kenyan government document, the lack of funding has stalled their distribution, which requires an additional $10 million.
The Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies (MEDS), a Christian charity responsible for distributing the medication, serves 2,000 clinics nationwide.
But with no financial support, deliveries remain on hold.
Government response and ongoing legal battles
Kenya’s Health cabinet secretary, Deborah Barasa, assured the public that the government is working to release funds within two to four weeks.
Meanwhile, Finance CS John Mbadi stated that emergency funding may be allocated in the upcoming budget.
In the U.S., lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s aid cuts are progressing through courts, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that over 80% of USAID programs have been canceled.
Impact on HIV treatment in Kenya
Kenya has the world’s seventh-largest HIV-positive population, with around 1.4 million people affected.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funds approximately 40% of the country’s HIV treatment.
Stocks of Dolutegravir and Nevirapine, essential HIV drugs—are running low. Patients now receive only one-week refills in some clinics, increasing anxiety over long-term access.
As delays continue, thousands of Kenyan HIV patients remain in limbo, relying on government intervention or a policy shift from the U.S. to restore the flow of life-saving treatment.
