NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 20 – The Cabinet on Thursday approved projects worth Sh250 billion aimed at creating medium and long term solutions to the current crises.
A statement from the Presidential Press Service (PPS) said the Ministry of Regional Development in conjunction with the six regional development authorities will implement the projects across the country over the next eight years.
“The projects cover irrigation of food and cash crops, hydro-electric power generation, supply of clean water and development of fisheries,” the PPS statement read in part.
The remaining multi-purpose projects are the conservation of water catchments and rural-centered development.
Once implemented the projects are expected to directly create 213,000 jobs and another 956,000 indirect jobs.
The Ministers met under the chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi.
It was agreed that the government would finance the feasibility studies while actual monies towards the projects are expected to be raised through Private-Public partnerships.
President Kibaki underlined the importance of urgently implementing the projects which he said: “Would greatly enhance the economic growth of all regions in the country and create the much needed employment opportunities for Kenyan youth.”
Kenya is currently grappling with a food, water and electricity crisis following rain failure for the fourth consecutive year.
The government early this week launched an ambitious emergency response programme to provide rapid delivery of food, water and medicine to over 10 million Kenyans most affected by the prolonged drought.
The programme will involve livestock off-take by the Kenya Meat Commission, borehole drilling and distribution of food and water to the affected families.
The government unveiled a stimulus Budget worth Sh866 billion this year to spur the economy which is projected to grow at a low of three per cent this year.
Of this amount Sh258 billion was set aside for development.
The following is the breakdown of the projects under the various regional development authorities.
1. COAST DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Sabaki River Integrated Project
– Lake Chala Integrated Water resource project
– Mwache Dam Multi-purpose project
2. EWASO NYIRO NORTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Wajir Integrated Development project
– Northern Kenya Integrated Abattoir project
– Development of gum-arabic and gum raisins
3. EWASO NYIRO SOUTH DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Lower Ewaso Nyiro River basin Integrated and Multi-purpose project
– Integrated Greater Mara Tourism development project
– Integrated Mau catchment conservation and development project
4. TANA RIVER DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Upper Tana catchment , afforestation and conservation project
– High Grand Falls Multi-purpose project
– Munyu Multi-purpose rewww.capitalfm.co.keir
– Kibwezi Irrigation project
5. LAKE BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Nandi Hydro-power integrated development project
– Magwagwa Multi-purpose project
– Webuye-Teremi Multi -purpose project
6. KERIO VALLEY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
– Turkwell Downstream Irrigation and Multi-purpose project
– Arror Integrated Multi-purpose project
– Cherangani Hills water shed conservation and rehabilitation multi- purpose project
In addition to the direct (213,000) and indirect (956,000) jobs, the projects will create the following extra benefits for the country:
Ø Extra 630 megawatts of power to the nation grid,
Ø Additional 600,000 acres of land under irrigation and
Ø 15,700 square kilometers of forest cover.
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