US slashes aid to Kenya because of corruption concerns

The US has suspended about $21m (£16m) in aid to Kenya’s ministry of health following allegations of corruption, according to an official statement.

“We took this step because of ongoing concern about reports of corruption and weak accounting procedures at the ministry,” the statement by the US embassy in Kenya said.

“The action is intended to ensure that health care spending reaches those in need, and to protect US taxpayer money,” it added.

The embassy said it was working with the ministry to improve accounting and internal controls and it hoped to restore the funding when “appropriate progress” was made.

The $21m was only a small portion of the overall US health investment in Kenya, which exceeded $650m, it added.

“Our support for life-saving and essential health services, such as providing anti-retroviral therapy for a million Kenyans, is not affected by the suspension. We will continue to provide funding for health services and medications going directly to Kenyans,” the statement said.