Dionisia Mugo took a leap of faith—borrowing Ksh1.2 million to cover medical bills and burial of her brother—only for the US government to yank the cord on USAID, ghosting the 90-day review like a bad breakup
The US government has permanently terminated all grants under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Donald Trump administration terminated the contracts of over 10,000 projects receiving USAID grants, which also include the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
Terminated too, are all global tuberculosis programmes, all US-made food aid aimed at malnourished children in Sudan. Over 20 million people supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) will be affected.
Dionisia Mugo, a 49-year-old breast cancer survivor of seven years, is facing the harsh reality of the USAID termination. Mugo was working with USAID as an administrator based in Nakuru. Like many others affected, she held onto hope during the 90-day reprieve granted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, praying for a reversal of the stop-work order by President Trump.
Mugo’s situation is particularly challenging. She is the sole provider for her family, which includes her late brother’s children. He tragically succumbed to cancer earlier this year, and Mugo promised she would care for his children, including school fees and upkeep.
The financial burden has been immense. Mugo took out a loan to cover a portion of her brother’s Ksh1.2 million hospital bill and even surrendered her land title deed as security to facilitate his burial. Now, with USAID termination letters issued to staff worldwide, her salary is gone, leaving her to find alternative ways to repay the loan.
Despite her initial hope for a change of heart from the US government, Mugo is now focused on adapting. She must find a way to support her family while prioritizing her own mental and physical health.
