CITY HALL, Kisumu July 9-Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o today welcomed Ambassador Marc Dillard, the outgoing U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, who paid a courtesy call at City Hall as he prepares to conclude his tour of duty in Kenya.
During the meeting, Governor Nyong’o reaffirmed Kisumu’s commitment to ongoing collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, noting the valuable support the county has received in areas such as education, the creative and digital economy, health, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Ambassador Dillard, who began his posting in August 2022 shortly before Kenya’s general elections, described his time in the country as both fulfilling and memorable.
He mentioned he will be heading to a similar role at the U.S. mission in South Africa after a short break with his family.
The envoy highlighted Kisumu’s significance in the US–Kenya partnership, particularly in the health sector.
The city remains the only jurisdiction outside Nairobi hosting major U.S. agency offices, including the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Walter Reed Project, both of which have had a longstanding presence in the region since 1968 and 1979, respectively.
During the meeting, County Executive for Finance and Economic Planning, George Okong’o, raised concerns over the declining levels of USAID support.
He pointed out that health accounts for 33% of Kisumu’s budget, and any reduction in funding puts pressure on the county’s ability to deliver essential services.
He called for a rethink on how donor support is structured, to ensure that counties can maintain programs without being overly dependent on national-level processes.
Responding to concerns over the evolving U.S. aid structure, Ambassador Dillard acknowledged the shift from USAID-led programming to a more State Department-driven model.
However, he assured the county that critical health initiatives—especially those focused on HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment—remain fully funded. He noted that current investment in these life-saving programs stands at over $330 million.
He also expressed interest in strengthening educational ties, saying the embassy is keen to connect Kisumu-based institutions with U.S. universities and colleges through its education and public affairs departments.
While noting that the current U.S. foreign assistance strategy prioritises immediate health needs over long-term development projects, Dillard emphasised the importance of continued dialogue to explore areas of mutual interest.
The meeting was also attended by CECMs Salmon Orimba, Beatrice Odongo, Judith Oluoch, and Kenneth Onyango, Chief of Staff Aloice Ager, along with officials from both the County Government of Kisumu and the U.S. Embassy.
