U.S. President Donald J. Trump has once again ignited global debate after making a surprising diplomatic decision affecting Kenya, only days after leading a dramatic operation in Venezuela that resulted in the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro.
Earlier this week, Trump ordered a military-backed raid in Venezuela that led to Maduro’s capture.
The Venezuelan leader was subsequently transferred to New York City, where he was arraigned on multiple charges, including alleged crimes against humanity and actions deemed hostile to U.S. interests.
The move drew mixed reactions globally, with some nations praising the action as bold leadership while others condemned it as a violation of international sovereignty.
Barely days after the Venezuela incident, Trump has now turned attention to Kenya, announcing the withdrawal of the United States from several United Nations agencies headquartered in Nairobi, including the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
The decision, confirmed by the White House on January 7, 2026, has sparked intense debate both locally and internationally.
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According to a detailed White House statement, President Trump signed an executive memorandum directing all U.S. executive departments and agencies to immediately cease participation in and funding for 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties. These include 35 non-UN organizations and 31 United Nations-affiliated bodies.
The White House stated that the decision follows a comprehensive review conducted under Executive Order 14199, which concluded that many of the organizations were “redundant, mismanaged, unnecessary, or wasteful,” and in some cases promoted agendas misaligned with U.S. national interests.
“Consistent with Executive Order 14199 and pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawal of the United States from the organizations listed,” read part of the memorandum.
Among the non-UN organizations affected are the International Energy Forum, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
On the UN side, the withdrawal impacts a wide range of commissions and agencies, including the UN Economic and Social Commission for Africa, UN Women, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and UN-Habitat, which has its global headquarters in Nairobi.
The move has triggered sharp criticism from climate scientists, human rights groups, foreign policy analysts, and several U.S. allies. Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, termed the withdrawal from the UNFCCC an “unforced error” that could weaken U.S. competitiveness on the global stage, particularly against China.
In Kenya, the decision has raised concerns over potential economic and diplomatic fallout, given Nairobi’s status as a major UN hub in Africa. Analysts warn that reduced U.S. involvement could affect funding, employment, and international cooperation initiatives in the region.
As reactions continue to pour in, Trump’s latest actions reaffirm his administration’s “America First” doctrine—one that continues to reshape global alliances and challenge long-standing international institutions.
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