Kenya yesterday signed two deals worth Sh5.6 billion with French and German governments to support various development projects.
Out of the total amount signed, Germany will fund projects worth Sh1.754 billion, while France will support projects worth Sh3.9 billion. The projects will be completed in three to five years.
National Treasury Cabinet secretary Henry Rotich, who presided over the signing of the two agreements, said the support will benefit sectors that are critical to the country’s development and in line with Vision 2030.
“The assistance from France and Germany which is in the form of concessional loans and grants will support critical sectors in the country,” said Rotich. German Ambassador to Kenya Jutta Frasch said the grants will be used to promote solar hybrid mini-grids at a cost of Sh1.623 billion while Sh102.8 million will go towards the Lake Nakuru Bio Diversity Conservation project.
The funds for the solar hybrid mini-grids project will focus on nascent small medium-sized rural growth centres with an expected load of 1MW. “The intervention will contribute to cost-effective, environmentally friendly and reliable power supply in rural growth centres and will no doubt foster efficient and sustainable use of power,” said Frasch.
He said the specific areas of focus for financing are strategy development of mechanism for implementation capacity building for private sector and support for micro-pilot projects at Kalokol in Turkana and Dukana and Ngurunit in Marsabit. KFW Nairobi office director Dr Klaus Liebig said Sh102.8 million will finance expert services for preparation of Nakuru National Park and its surroundings.
The People daily
