Kenya will receive KSh 115 Million out of a financial package of KSh 2.6 Billion that the UK Government has pledged to support countries in East Africa deal with the drought and flood menace
UK Minister for Africa Vicky Ford made this disclosure while on a three-country visit to East Africa, starting with Kenya.
The UK is the largest European foreign investor in Kenya with the two countries having extensive bilateral relations in areas covering trade, investments, tourism, and cooperation in areas of defence and security, anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, climate change, among others.
In May last year, Nairobi and London ratified an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost annual trade worth KSh 200 billion a year, including duty and quota free access to the British market for Kenyan exports.
The UK Minister for Africa, while touring the country, also visited Malindi solar plant, the largest solar plant in East Africa.
Of the amount, KSh155 million has been allocated for urgent, life-saving nutritional assistance to 26,000 children in Kenya; KSh1.2 billion for water and cash-based support to help improve health and food security conditions, which will limit displacements linked to worsening drought conditions in Somalia.
Another KSh465 million will go to South Sudan for food assistance and hygiene supplies to 100,000 people who are exposed to water-borne diseases and severe nutritional challenges due to protracted flooding.
Ethiopia will receive KSh775 million nutrition assistance to over 200,000 children, pregnant and lactating women in drought-affected regions of the Southern and Eastern parts of the country.
“ This funding package will provide vital assistance to almost a million people across the region, helping those affected to access clean water and healthy food,” she said.
The UK Minister for Africa said the UK will also increase its support in areas where Kenya is working on preparation to tackle drought.
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