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As the US government shutdown enters its third week, the Trump administration is exploring alternative methods to ensure federal law enforcement officers receive their salaries, a move that could have ripple effects on international partners, including Kenya.
The Trump administration is actively seeking alternative funding mechanisms to pay federal law enforcement officers as the United States government shutdown extends into its third week. This comes amidst a political deadlock between Democrats and Republicans over federal spending, which has led to the temporary closure or reduced operation of non-essential government services. While members of the US military are set to receive their paychecks using previously allocated Pentagon funds following an order from President Donald Trump, the payment status of other essential federal workers remains a critical concern.
Thousands of federal workers have already faced furloughs or are working without pay since the shutdown began on Tuesday, October 1, 2025, at 7:01 AM EAT (12:01 AM EDT). Vice President JD Vance has warned of further "painful" cuts if the stalemate persists. On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the Senate voted for an eighth time on government funding, but a Republican-backed stopgap budget failed to advance in a 49 to 45 vote.
Government shutdowns in the United States occur when Congress fails to pass legislation to fund federal government operations before the start of a new fiscal year. This current shutdown, which began on October 1, 2025, is the 11th in modern US history where federal employees have been furloughed, and the third during a Trump presidency. The longest shutdown in US history lasted 35 days, from December 2018 to January 2019, also during the Trump administration, stemming from a dispute over funding for a border wall.
The current impasse is fueled by partisan disagreements over federal spending levels, foreign aid rescissions, and health insurance subsidies. Democrats have largely objected to funding the government as President Trump moved to assume control over the extent of its operations, including eliminating federal funding and firing government workers. Republicans, on the other hand, have urged Democrats to pass a "clean, no-strings-attached budget" to reopen the government.
Under the Antideficiency Act, federal agencies are prohibited from spending or obligating money without an appropriation from Congress. This law, interpreted in the early 1980s, mandates that federal agencies cease non-essential functions during a funding gap. While essential employees, such as law enforcement officers and military personnel, are required to continue working, they typically do so without pay until the shutdown ends.
A law passed in 2019 guarantees retroactive pay for furloughed federal employees once a shutdown concludes. However, this does not alleviate the immediate financial strain on affected workers. The Trump administration's decision to reallocate funds for military pay is an unusual move, as historically, military personnel also worked without pay during shutdowns, with Congress passing specific legislation to ensure their salaries.
The shutdown directly impacts hundreds of thousands of federal employees and their families. Approximately 700,000 federal employees are working without pay, while roughly 900,000 have been furloughed. These individuals face immediate financial difficulties, with many potentially needing to delay mortgage or credit card payments. Federal contractors, who are not guaranteed back pay, are also severely affected, facing furloughs or layoffs.
For Kenya, the US government shutdown carries significant implications. US funding to NGOs, development partners, and global programs in Kenya, particularly in health, education, and food security, faces potential delays or suspensions. The US is a major trading partner for Kenya, and a prolonged shutdown could shake investor confidence, lead to currency volatility, and delay crucial trade agreements like the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The ongoing shutdown poses several risks, both domestically in the US and internationally. Domestically, it disrupts essential government services, closes national parks and museums, and can lead to revenue losses. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown cost the US economy $11 billion. A prolonged shutdown could further impact the US economy, potentially leading to a downgrade of the US credit rating, as happened in 2011.
For Kenya, the implications are significant. Beyond direct aid, the shutdown could affect ongoing trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP), which aims to establish high-standard commitments on various non-tariff trade issues. A weakened US economy due to a prolonged shutdown could also lead to global financial uncertainty, impacting Kenya through rising borrowing costs and a weaker shilling.
It remains unclear how much money would be necessary to ensure all federal law enforcement officers are paid through alternative means. The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has confirmed it is examining these options. There is also uncertainty surrounding the legality of reallocating funds for military pay, with questions raised about whether this action could contravene the Antideficiency Act.
The Trump administration has also threatened to withhold back pay for furloughed federal workers, despite a 2019 law guaranteeing such compensation. This has drawn strong opposition from unions and lawmakers, who have vowed to challenge any such move in court.
Observers will be closely watching for any breakthroughs in negotiations between the US Congress and the Trump administration to end the shutdown. The impact on federal workers, particularly those in essential services working without pay, will remain a key focus. For Kenya, the duration of the shutdown and its potential effects on US foreign aid, trade relations, and the broader global economy will be critical to monitor.
The current shutdown echoes previous instances of government funding impasses in the US, such as the 2013 shutdown over the Affordable Care Act and the 2018-2019 shutdown concerning border wall funding. These events consistently highlight the significant economic and social disruptions caused by such political stalemates.
