🌐USAID’s Legacy in Localization – Ubora Mashinani

11 Counties, 1 Vision: Locally Led Development

The sudden discontinuation of USAID and sharp cuts in U.S. foreign assistance have shocked the world. For those of us who worked directly or indirectly with USAID, the loss feels personal. While the suddenness of these cuts has been deeply disruptive, it is important to remember that USAID’s long-term vision had already begun to shift—toward a future where foreign assistance would gradually give way to locally led solutions.

This vision was crystallized in the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR), which emphasized that real development success is achieved when external aid is no longer needed. J2SR was not just about shifting financial flows, but about strengthening institutions, civil society, and communities to own and sustain their development.

To operationalize this vision, USAID introduced the Local Development Organization (LDO) concept. The idea was to co-create county-level umbrella organizations that could convene civil society, the private sector, and citizens to set priorities and hold governments accountable. The theory of change was simple yet profound: strong, accountable local organizations give citizens the voice, agency, and capacity to influence governance and drive lasting change.

This was tested through the Ubora Mashinani Program, implemented by the Kenya Community Development Foundation. With USAID support, LDOs were established in Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kisii, Kisumu, Makueni, Mombasa, Nakuru, Samburu, and Turkana.

These organizations were legally registered, trained in governance and resource mobilization, and began mobilizing thousands of members—including women, youth, and disability-led CSOs—to influence county plans and budgets.

By the end of 2024, Ubora Mashinani was already delivering results. Civic educators trained by the program helped citizens engage directly in forums, with some counties integrating over 80% of public proposals into development plans. LDOs formalized partnerships with county governments, mobilized membership fees and local philanthropy, and shaped policies on participation and inclusion.

Sadly, in January 2025, a U.S. stop-work order forced Ubora’s premature closure. Yet the foundation remains. These 11 LDOs now have the opportunity to show the resilience they were designed to embody. If they succeed, they will stand as living proof that localization was not just rhetoric, but one of USAID’s most distinctive contributions to development practice.

✨ As we reflect during Week 1 of this five-week journey, I invite you to share:
What are your own memories of USAID’s localization efforts, and how did they shape the communities you served?

Irene Gathinji, Jasper Morara, Daisy Rono, CPA Boniface Mundu, James Gendi, Dr. Martin Oloo, PhD. Felesia Muyia-Odada, Fred Wafula, Ngoha O., Kimberly Ludwig, Sheila Karani-Monda.