To support a green urban environment, the United Kingdom pledged to fund the ongoing revamp of the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) train station with Ksh11.9 billion (£80m).
Through the UK Export Finance, the revolutionary project initiated by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta will be fast-tracked to ease traffic snarl-up in the city.
The announcement was made in a statement dated Wednesday, December 7, ahead of UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s visit to Kenya.
“We hugely value working with our allies and friends across Africa. Such relationships benefit us all,” Cleverly assured.
The Ksh30 billion project is expected to position Nairobi among the leading global cities.
It will also improve the level of service offered to commuter passengers, increase safety operations, and reduce the transit time of the locomotives.
Furthermore, the UK vowed to fund the African Development Fund (ADF) with Ksh96.6 billion (£ 650 million) as part of the Ksh1.1 trillion ($9 billion) three-year package promised earlier.
With this, at least 20 million people will have access to electricity, over 30 million others will have improved sanitation, and at least 2.3 million new jobs will be created across Africa.
In addition, the Foreign Secretary emphasised that the investment platforms offered by the UK were not aimed at crippling developing countries with debt but focused more on economic growth.
Also, the UK will support new re-forestation projects in the country through the UK PACT program with Ksh 563.8 million (£ 3.8 million) investment.
Meanwhile, while in Kenya at the British High Commission, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly will congratulate Charlot Magayi, the winner of the Earthshot Prize 2022.
He is also expected to fly to Ethiopia on Thursday, December 8.
Notably, this will be his first visit to Sub-Saharan Africa since he became the Foreign Secretary.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE