UN Resident Coordinator, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, said the launch of UNDAF by the President at State House was historic in the development cooperation between the UN and the Government of Kenya.
“We are profoundly honoured Your Excellency, for this testimony of commitment to the ideals and values of the United Nations,” Bekele-Thomas said.
She said the occasion was also unprecedented because for the first time four UN Under-Secretary Generals witnessed the signing of the UNDAF, adding that the World Bank and the IMF were, for the first time in Kenya, signatories to the UNDAF.
Saying the current UNDAF is a direct by-product of Kenya’s long-term development aspirations, the UN Resident Coordinator disclosed that the formulation of the instrument was a result of extensive and rigorous consultations with Government authorities at national and county levels, the Judiciary, Parliament, Commissions, the private sector, civil society and development partners.
“It is truly an instrument for use as a common framework for collaborative and concerted development assistance designed to make a difference in the lives of Kenyans, especially the marginalized and the poor, by fostering inclusive and sustainable long-term development,” the UN Resident Coordinator said.
Speaking during the occasion, Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary, Anne Waiguru, urged the UN to tailor its programmes so that more of the funds would be directed to development programmes instead of humanitarian activities as has happened in the past.
During the last programming cycle (2009-2013), the total programme delivery of United Nations Funds and Programmes in Kenya was close to $3 billion (Sh260 billion). 70pc of that amount went to humanitarian activities, in response to emergencies and crises while only 30pc (Sh86 billion) went to medium and long-term development programmes.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Finnish Ambassador to Kenya, Sofie From-Emmesberger also addressed the occasion.
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