Staff Reports
In an unexpected twist that could make even the most skeptical American chuckle, former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta has come out in support of President Donald Trump’s temporary suspension of foreign aid. Speaking at a summit dubbed the East Africa Region Global Health Security Summit, he had the audacity to suggest that African leaders might want to stop their whining and start grabbing the bootstraps to pull themselves up. Who knew a politician from Kenya could drop more common sense than some U.S. leaders?
Kenyatta’s comments caused quite a stir among some foreign diplomats, but let’s be honest—what did they expect? He wasn’t rolling out a red carpet for dependency; instead, he pointed out the obvious: while American taxpayers cough up their hard-earned cash, it’s not exactly a charity case for nations that don’t contribute to that bill. Truer words could scarcely be found in a world where continued handouts often lead to nothing more than an endless cycle of begging. Kenyatta’s pointed remark about taxpayers not owing anything to foreign nations was a refreshing change from the usual narrative.
There was laughter and applause from the audience when he asserted that African nations need to start working for their own well-being, rather than awaiting another round of foreign aid. He implored his fellow leaders to figure out how to utilize their own resources properly instead of relying on external support. This approach, while downright revolutionary to some, is hardly a foreign concept. One would think that self-reliance would be considered a virtue in any nation, but it seems many would prefer to clutch their dependency like a beloved childhood blanket.
Former Kenyan President Calls for Foreign Self-Reliance: 'You Don't Pay Taxes in America'https://t.co/h30SzrRmyA
— PJ Media (@PJMedia_com) January 29, 2025
In what must have been a surprising pivot for some attendees, Kenyatta did emphasize that internal conflicts are a major hindrance to progress. It appears that the former leader has inadvertently tapped into a significant issue that’s been consistently ignored: more locals have fallen victim to conflicts among themselves than to any pandemic. His sobering mention of deaths from “bullets fired by Africans upon Africans” was not just a stark reminder but an earnest call for unity and cooperation. One can almost hear the crickets chirping in response from those too entrenched in finger-pointing and blame-shifting to take meaningful action.
While some may roll their eyes at Kenyatta’s suggestions, his perspective shines a light on a broader topic: the genuine need for self-sufficiency among nations, especially those that have historically relied on Western nations for support. As Kenyatta put it, it’s time for African nations to harness their own potential. Perhaps if more world leaders adopted such logic and common sense, we would see a significant shift toward sustainable development rather than continuing the cycle of dependency and disillusionment. While it isn’t exactly a revelation to anyone with a semblance of fiscal responsibility, it’s refreshing to see it echoed by someone with clout on the world stage.
