In a significant move towards environmental sustainability, ten counties in Kenya are poised to receive a substantial financial boost of Ksh1.1 billion from the United Kingdom.
The funding is earmarked to support and sustain 50 green investment projects across various sectors in the country.
The British High Commission in Nairobi announced the allocation of funds following the culmination of the UK-funded County Green Finance Assessment.
This assessment, conducted recently, identified the ten counties deemed most equipped to effectively utilize the allocated funds for green initiatives.
The selected counties set to benefit from this funding injection include Wajir, Embu, Nairobi, Nandi, Taita Taveta, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Laikipia, Vihiga, and Kisumu. These counties demonstrated promising potential for implementing environmentally sustainable projects aimed at water and sanitation development, healthcare infrastructure, energy initiatives, and job creation.
The funding initiative represents a strategic effort to stimulate economic growth at the grassroots level while simultaneously addressing pressing environmental concerns.
By investing in green projects, the initiative seeks to mitigate climate-related risks and foster resilience within local communities.
“The financial endeavor will also support homegrown financial solutions and increase access to affordable, environmentally friendly housing among other services,” affirmed the British High Commission, underscoring the multifaceted impact of the funding.
The County Green Finance Assessment played a pivotal role in identifying and selecting the recipient counties based on several criteria, including their financial performance, credit risk, availability of green investment opportunities, and capacity to manage green finance effectively.
Reflecting on the urgency of addressing climate change, Leigh Stubblefield, Development Director at the British High Commission Nairobi, emphasized the disproportionate impact of climate-related disasters on vulnerable communities.
“As flooding causes disruption across Kenya, we can see clearly how the counties that are least responsible for climate change are the worst affected,” remarked Stubblefield, highlighting the need for proactive measures to combat climate change and its adverse effects.
The collaboration between the United Kingdom and Kenya underscores the importance of international partnerships in advancing sustainable development goals and promoting environmental stewardship.
Through initiatives like the County Green Finance Assessment, countries can leverage external support to catalyze green investments and build resilient, eco-friendly communities for future generations.
