USAID Offers Double Salaries to Keep Staff During Trump-Era Shutdown
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is offering lucrative “retention incentives” to hundreds of employees globally, including in Kenya, as it prepares for a full shutdown of operations that contradict the Trump administration’s foreign aid policies.
Approximately 800 workers stationed in Kenya and other countries have been offered the chance to receive up to twice their normal salaries if they stay on until early September 2025.
The bonuses are intended to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruptions as USAID winds down programs and transfers select responsibilities to the U.S. Department of State.
“This incentive is necessary because employees with critical expertise — in HR, IT, legal affairs, and security — are leaving in large numbers,” read a USAID memo seen by Bloomberg. “Their mass departure could lead to financial losses, legal exposure, and reputational damage for the U.S. government.”
A State Department official confirmed the plan was approved by the Office of Personnel Management and aligns with federal guidelines. Staff deemed “mission essential” are helping terminate active contracts, support human resource transitions, and oversee security during the drawdown.
One employee told Bloomberg that although they would be doing the same duties, the doubled pay gave them a strong reason to stay.
The move follows the Trump administration’s decision to close down USAID operations that were deemed inconsistent with its “America First” agenda. Spearheaded by Elon Musk, then-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the shutdown reflects efforts to curb what they called “unnecessary foreign aid.”
The consequences have been devastating in countries like Kenya. USAID had long supported programs in health, agriculture, and education — now more than 41,000 Kenyans have lost their jobs as a direct result of the agency’s exit.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that some essential life-saving services will be continued under the State Department. However, for many communities, the gap left by USAID’s departure remains deep and immediate.
Source: Tuko News
