NAIROBI, Kenya — Saboti MP Caleb Amisi has called on Kenya and other African countries to abandon overreliance on United States funding, arguing that external aid has weakened governance, distorted democracies and entrenched corruption across the continent.
In a statement shared on X, Amisi said African economies and democracies must move beyond donor dependency and pursue self-driven development anchored on accountability and internal capacity.
“It is about time African economies and democracies existing and surviving on the US funding model not only think outside the box but throw the box away,” Amisi said.
The outspoken lawmaker said he agreed with US President Donald Trump’s long-held criticism that weak states must learn to develop themselves and engage globally as equal partners, not dependents.
“I agree with Trump. Weak states must learn to develop themselves and meet at the international table as colleagues,” he said.
Amisi argued that decades of foreign funding have often failed to reach ordinary citizens and instead benefited political elites. He claimed donor money has, in many cases, been used as a conduit for corruption and elite capture.
“American money has been used as a conduit for corrupt leaders and gain to ordinary folks,” he said, suggesting that aid has sometimes insulated poor leadership from accountability.
His remarks come amid growing global uncertainty over foreign aid flows, with shifting geopolitical priorities and reduced appetite for long-term funding commitments by traditional donors.
African governments have increasingly faced pressure to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation, reduce debt exposure, and build resilient economies.
Amisi said the international system is undergoing a profound shift, warning that countries that fail to adapt risk being left behind.
“International relations is now chaotic and anarchic,” he said.
He added that Kenya cannot afford complacency in a world driven by economic strength, innovation, and strategic self-interest.
“No one cares if your nation remains a pariah, failed, or poor,” Amisi said. “The world has taken off.”
The legislator urged Kenya to pursue what he described as a national renaissance, centred on economic independence, institutional reform, and democratic renewal.
He did not outline specific policy proposals but stressed the need for bold thinking and leadership that prioritises long-term national interests over short-term political gains.
Amisi’s comments also reflect a wider debate within Africa on the future of development financing. Policymakers and analysts have increasingly questioned the sustainability of aid-driven models, pointing to the need for value addition, industrialisation, intra-African trade, and stronger governance.
Kenya has, in recent years, signalled a shift towards trade, investment, and public-private partnerships as alternatives to traditional aid, while also facing rising public debt and fiscal pressure.
