UK govt launches Ksh.8 billion program for counties

UK govt launches Ksh.8 billion program for counties

The United Kingdom has launched a Ksh.8 billion program on Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) that seeks to empower 10 counties economically.

The Ksh.8 billion will be spread across 10 counties over a period of five years, where the funds will be used to strengthen capacity at various municipality levels to better plan for urbanisation.

The 5-year project is also looking to develop infrastructure to attract high potential value chain projects.

Speaking during the launch of the event, Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney stated that the funds will be useful in planning the counties given their current state.

“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 CS Karoney.

On his part, the British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey said that Kenya has reached a high-income status with proper urbanisation.

Hailey further noted that the UK funded program looks to diversify and create opportunities for the fast growing counties that have been historically marginalised in Kenya.

“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.

Counties will have to register for the funds before they are taken through a selection process, only then will the 10 counties be picked before the December 10 deadline.

Selected counties will be provided with urban economic planners to help develop and integrate sustainable plans to spur inclusive growth hubs to help address regulatory constrains to the private sector.

The program has four phases where the counties will be selected, then the counties will priorities their agenda followed by investments in the projects.

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UK British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey Lands Cabinet Secretary Farida Karoney

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