UK government to fund Kenya urban centres

The United Kingdom government has launched a Ksh.8 billion program on sustainable urban economic development targeted at 10 counties over a five year period.

The Ksh.8 billion will be spread across 10 counties over a period of 5 years.

Speaking during the launch of the fund, lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney stated that the funds will be useful in planning the counties to improve on the current status.

“There is a lot that can be done with this money, it’s one and a half times the budget allocated to the lands ministry and with these funds we can better plan our counties to the competitive,” said Karoney.

According to the British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey, the program aims at creating opportunities for counties that have been historically marginalized.

“The money is set to bring at par regions that have been left out, this funds seeks to aid in the proper planning and strategic placement of these counties,” said Hailey.

Selected counties will be provided with urban planners to help develop and integrate sustainable plans to spur growth and make them economic hubs.

The program will be implemented in four phases, the first being selection of deserving counties.