World Bank to change strategy for assisting Kenya

By Morris Aron

World Bank (WB) is reviewing its strategy on working with Kenya to focus more on ways to help the country attain equitable economic growth that is environmentally sustainable.

Mr Johannes Zutt, World Bank Country Director said in light of the threats posed by climate change to Africa, and Kenya in particular, WB is in the process of putting in place measures to ensure development projects they fund do not speed up climate change. "We are reviewing our strategy to forecast more on how we can assist Kenya develop with environment concerns in mind," said Mr Zutt.

The new strategy being implemented continuously with the current policy that emphasises on equitable economic growth, shows the growing concern that major institutions around the world are putting to address climate change and cut down carbon emissions.

With the new strategy, the World Bank says not only will the projects they finance be evaluated for their possible immediate impact on the environment around where they are implemented, but also vetted to ensure they are energy efficient and counter climate change.

Structures and policies

WB also said it will continue helping the Government put in place structures and policies to address climate change.

Among key projects it has lined up under the new strategy include the construction of a 280 MW clean energy Geothermal plant at Olkaria.

Effects of climate change have become topical across the world, with major think tanks urging nations to put in place measures that will counter carbon emissions into the atmosphere to avert a catastrophe.

Africa, that emits less than one per cent of carbon emissions, has been seen as the biggest potential loser as the world climatic conditions change.

At a recent press conference, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said:

"Due to global warming, Africa now lives between twin disasters - drought and floods."