Kenya gets Sh13 billion World Bank loan for water infrastructure

By Protus Onyango

The World Bank has given Kenya a Sh13.1 billion ($155 million) credit facility under the Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Programme.

The funds will support the building of water infrastructure and new sector institutions in the country.

The International Development Association (IDA) credit was approved by the World Bank Board of Executive Directors last month.

 “As you are aware, Kenya is a water-scarce nation with over 80 per cent of its land in arid and semi-arid areas,” said Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Country Director for Kenya.

“This credit will support Kenya’s financing of a long-term, transformational programme to achieve water security and resilience to climate variability and change.”

water security

She added, “It will also help the government to better manage its water resources and develop investments to improve water security and climate resilience.”

The loan facility will enable the government develop new water infrastructure, such as water storage and irrigation. It will also help to build capacity of water institutions to deliver adequate water to residents across the country.

“The first beneficiaries of this financing will include an irrigation scheme on the lower Nzoia River in Siaya and Busia counties in Western Kenya,” Ms Gaye said.

The project will cover 4043 hectares and benefit 20,000 people equivalent to 2,100 households in Western and Nyanza.

This is a flagship project of the Kenya Agricultural Sector Development Strategy. A regular and reliable water supply will facilitate increased output of high value produce.

These include fruits and vegetables and staples such as soybeans, cereals and other legumes from this region. This will lead to food security, economic growth and enhanced climate resilience for farmers.

“Improving water supply and resilience to climate change will increase the output of agriculture, tourism and other sectors,” Ms Gaye said. “It will also increase Kenya’s opportunities for higher economic growth and create jobs for the rapidly increasing youth population.”

She noted that the fund would support water sector reforms and ensure its resources at national and county levels are planned, developed and maintained for long-term prosperity.

Erratic weather

“The new credit has increased the World Bank’s support to Kenya’s water sector to $605 million (Sh52.6 billion),” observed Gaye.

“The Bank is supporting another major operation, the Water and Sanitation Services Improvement Project, with a credit of $450 million (Sh39.2 billion).”

She added, “This demonstrates our commitment and resolve to work with Kenyan people to scale up interventions that will reduce their vulnerability to erratic weather patterns and limited water availability.”

Gaye assured the government that water security and climate resilience will remain critical issues in the Bank’s country partnership strategy.  “Let us continue to work together to ensure that the projects we have approved for Kenya are implemented on time, and within budget, to deliver the expected returns to the beneficiaries,” she said.

Those who attended the ceremony included the Cabinet Secretaries, National Treasury, Henry Rotich, Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Prof Judy Wakhungu and Principal Secretaries.