Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has promised to prudently utilize Ksh.1.7B grant given to Kenya by the European Union (EU) to mitigate climate change.
While speaking during the launch of the Dryland Climate Action for Community Drought Resilience project in Nairobi on Tuesday, April 4, Mudavadi lauded the EU for consistently supporting Kenya in climate action
“In the area of managing drought risks, the European is arguably our most consistent partner. You have walked with us in our policy shift from reactive to proactive management of drought risks,” he stated.
Moreover, the Prime Cabinet Secretary reported that the EU has provided about 65 million euros between the years 2007 and 2022 towards drought-risk management efforts under the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).
According to Musalia Mudavadi, the additional Ksh.1.69 billion grant will help to improve community resilience to drought as well as other impacts of climate change.
Also Read: President Ruto: Africa Should Fight Climate Change Together
He further announced that the state will channel an additional 5 million euros as counterpart funding to the project.
“We will also ensure that the additional funds are used prudently and for the sole purpose of ensuring our vulnerable communities cope with impacts of drought and climate change,” he said.
Mudavadi noted that drought risk management cannot be separated from sustainable development. He added that it is now a shared responsibility of both county and national governments, supported by their respective development partners.
Nonetheless, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) reported that the ongoing drought in the country has seen 2.6 million livestock dead.