Germany commits Sh28b for development projects

Kenya has secured a Sh28 billion grant from Germany to invest in development projects.

The funds will be mostly channeled to water projects as the government reaches out to partners to improve access to clean water.

German Ambassador to Kenya Jutta Frasch said the funds committed to Kenya will be available in the first quarter of 2017.

“During the next two years we are going to support various projects here in Kenya as part of our development cooperation,” Mrs Frasch said.

Water Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said the funding will build local capacity in the water sector even as the government seeks to increase acreage under irrigation.

“As we seek to increase our acreage under irrigation, Kenya remains a water scarce country. Continued urbanization leads to more demand. Our economic growth is also raising the demand for industrial water,” Mr Wamlwa said.

The two were speaking during the launch of the Kenya-German Water week organized by the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Kenya.

German water experts are in the country to train their Kenyan counterparts on latest technology and trends in water and wastewater management.

The forum is expected to enhance the quality of water and wastewater management in the country by bringing together the Kenyan and German private sector, political decision makers, representatives of water utilities and technology experts from Germany.

The focus areas during the forum will include drilling technologies and construction practices, wastewater treatment and re use as well as how to start a business in the water sector.