U.K announces Ksh.550M funding to Kenya to increase forest cover

The United Kingdom has supported Kenya’s efforts in dealing with climate change by donating Ksh.550 million to aid in reforestation projects.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly made the announcement on Thursday during his first visit to the country.

Mr. Cleverly expressed the UK’s commitment to strengthening relations with Kenya in its efforts to increase forest cover saying that the donation would go a long way in supporting the implementation of the project.

“Ksh.550 million will support Kenya’s efforts to protect, monitor and increase forest cover,” read a statement by the British High Commission in Nairobi.

He said the fund would aid in boosting the government’s three pilot projects of planting 5 billion trees, improving water catchment and combating climate change.

He was speaking while celebrating the Ksh.146 million Earthshot Prize winner, Kenyan climate innovation Mukuru Cook Stoves, alongside electric vehicles company Roam which was also shortlisted.

Mukuru Cook Stoves, which produces low-income cooking stoves of biomass made from charcoal, wood and sugarcane (clean energy), won the coveted prize which was established by the UK’s Prince of Wales.

Kenyan company Roam motors, on the other hand, is well-known for its revolutionary manufacturing of electric buses and boda bodas.

Mr. Cleverly noted that the cash prize won by the company would help to advance its operations.

“Kenya’s climate innovators have once again caught the eye of the Earthshot Prize judges. Mukuru Stoves are a very worthy winner and Kenya should rightly be very proud of everything they have achieved,” he said.

“Empowering women is crucially important, as we can’t tackle climate change or grow our economies to their full potential unless everyone plays their full part. If we can magnify the innovation seen here today, we can build a cleaner, greener, future for all our people.”

The announcement by Mr. Cleverly follows President William Ruto and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s meeting at COP27 in Egypt where the two leaders agreed to fast-track six investment projects worth Ksh.500 billion.