In a momentous announcement on Wednesday, the Kenyan government announced that it has secured a Ksh15.5 billion loan from the World Bank. Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome made the news official during the launch of the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Regional Program at the Sarova Panafric Hotel.
“Groundbreaking Progress in Groundwater Management”
The loan, which will be disbursed over six years from 2022 to 2027, will provide a major boost to the design of groundwater interventions in Kenya. The money will also increase sustainable access to and management of the country’s groundwater resources. According to Wahome, the loan will play a critical role in advancing President William Ruto’s economic plan.
“Five Counties Set to Benefit from Groundwater Program”
Wahome also revealed that five counties in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) region, including Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Turkana, and Wajir, will benefit from the program. Over 400 rural schemes in the ASAL regions will be rehabilitated, and new drought-strategic boreholes will be drilled where feasible. The loan will also go towards developing the capacity of stakeholders and strengthening the enabling environment for groundwater management.
“Boosting Resilience and Conserving Groundwater Resources”
The World Bank is providing a total of Ksh48 billion to Horn of Africa countries through the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Regional Program. Ethiopia and Somalia are also set to benefit from the program, which aims to tap groundwater potential and boost climate resilience. The loan will go a long way towards conserving groundwater resources and building resilience against drought, as well as enhancing monitoring, information, and knowledge systems in groundwater management.
In conclusion, the Kenyan government’s announcement of the Ksh15.5 billion loan from the World Bank is a major milestone in the country’s journey towards sustainable groundwater management. With the loan, the government hopes to make strides in reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, and improving the livelihoods of the people in the Horn of Africa.
