EUROPEAN UNION
The Delegation has the status of a diplomatic mission, officially representing the European Union in Kenya. The European Union and Kenya have a long-standing partnership – covering Political, Development, Economic and Security Cooperation.
The European Union and its Member States, acting jointly as Team Europe, support the Government of Kenya through a Joint Cooperation Strategy, which jointly implements priorities and objectives identified by the Government of Kenya in its development blueprint Vision 2030, through the EU’s third Medium-Term Plan (MTP III) 2018-2022.
The Strategic Dialogue between the Republic of Kenya and the European Union was launched during the meeting between H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya (2013-2022) and H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, held on 21st June, 2021 in Brussels.
This upgrade of the Kenya – European Union relations build on the meeting between the two counterparts on 9th March, 2021 at State House, Nairobi, and the renewed European Union Strategy for the Horn of Africa, adopted in May 2021, in which the European Union.
THE AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT GROUP (AFD)
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group funds, supports and accelerates the transitions to a fairer and more sustainable world. Focusing on climate, biodiversity, peace, education, urban development, health and governance.
Their teams carry out more than 3,600 projects in France’s overseas departments and territories and another 160 countries. In this way, they contribute to the commitment of France and French people to support the sustainable development goals of our country.
Key Objectives of the Project
The key objectives of the project are the following:
- Ensure that communities in the ASALs secure access to local socio-economic social services and to the main road network so as to increase their resilience to drought and other effects of climate change including improved food security;
- Stimulate investment and growth, lower the cost of doing business, and improve the security and stability of the region; and
- Promote the integration of the ASALs with the rest of Kenya and the wider region.
Climate Proofed Rural Roads Project in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL)
The European Union and the AFD (AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT) will support the Government of Kenya with financing and technical assistance for the upgrading of several roads in six (6) ASAL counties in Kenya. These are Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo and Marsabit, the feasibility study was carried out in 2017.
The financing agreements were signed on 2nd October, 2020 for a total of Euro 90 million (Euro 60 million credit facility from AFD and Euro 30 million Grant from the EU). The GoK portion is equivalent of 20 million Euro. This Programme is expected to run for a period of 48 Months (4 Years)
(ii). Job creation for the local population through the use of labour based methods in construction;
(iv). Additional knowledge to contractors and staff of the consulting companies on labour based technology in the design, construction and maintenance of roads; and environmental protection and management of natural resources within the focal area.
Key features
The Project will conform to the R2000 Strategic objective of improving the living conditions of the rural population in the Project Counties. Other features will include: -
(i). Construction of about 911 km of road to all weather standards. This comprises of 106 km of low volume seal and 805 km of gravel roads (with concrete pavements on steep sections of rainy areas);
(iii). Strengthening the managerial, administrative and technical capacities for road planning, procurement, supervision and monitoring of road maintenance and climate proofing of the relevant Road Agencies and Project Counties through training and capacity building;