UK bolsters Kenya’s green drive with Ksh 4.7 billion

The UK Government on Wednesday announced a Ksh 4.7 billion of new funding for solar energy, forest restoration and other nature projects in Kenya.

Kesses Solar Project in Eldoret received Ksh 3.9 billion of funding from UK-backed Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, driving clean green energy in Kenya.

When completed, the plant will improve access to energy for thousands of people and create up to 400 construction jobs helping Kenya achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 as announced at COP26 last year.

The UK also announced Ksh 800 million to restore deforested land in Kenya.

The package was unveiled at an event to launch the Greening Kaptagat Project in Elgeyo Marakwet, a project backed by Ksh 75 million in funding from the UK, and delivered in partnership with the WWF and the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.

At COP26, 140 countries, including Kenya and the UK, pledged to stop and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

The announcement, launched by PS Chris Kiptoo, World Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge and WWF CEO Mohamed Awer helps to turn this pledge into action.

Greening Kaptagat Forest project aims to mitigate these threats by providing access to sustainable development activities that will restore over 1,000 hectares and benefit over 1,000 people living in the Kaptagat landscape.

The project launch also included the unveiling of the Kapkoi-Kibogy solar powered water project that will provide a steady flow of water for household consumption for approximately 800 residents.

“The UK is proud to partner with WWF, Eliud Kipchoge foundation and the Kenyan Government to green Kaptagat-turning pledges at COP26 into action on the ground. This project and the investment in the Kesses Solar Project will help Kenya achieve its vision of 10% tree cover by 2030, and provide new green jobs for local people,” said Mike Foster, Head of Mutual Prosperity and Climate Change at the British High Commission.

“PS Chris Kiptoo said that the greening of Kaptagat was a response to a call in 2020 by UK pact which directly responds to the priorities identified through the integrated Master plan for the rehabilitation and restoration of Elgeyo –Cherangany Hills ecosystem which was developed in 2021.