Three county governments and the World Bank have signed Sh20-billion Development Response to Displacement Impacts Project agreements.
Witnessed by the Deputy President William Ruto, the initiative is aimed at improving access to water, healthcare, education and building resilience of communities in Garissa, Wajir and Turkana.
The first agreement was Sh10 billion for Water and Sanitation programmes in Garissa and Wajir Counties while the second one, of a similar amount, seeks to improve social services and expand the economic opportunities for communities in the three counties that host refugees.
Present were Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, Governors Ali Korane (Garissa), Josephat Nanok (Turkana), Mohammed Abdi (Wajir) and World Bank representative Pascaline Ndungu among others.
At the signing ceremony of the Sh10bn development pact, Harambee Annex, Nairobi County. pic.twitter.com/l1ONbgOY2N
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 16, 2019
The leaders said lack of water was the greatest challenge facing communities in arid and semi arid areas, noting that the funds allocated will be used for the intended projects so as to transform the lives of people.
Speaking after the signing ceremony at the Harambee Annex Office, the Deputy President said the Government in collaboration with the World Bank was committed to the transformation of arid and semi arid areas.
Wajir and Garissa counties will benefit from a Sh10bn World Bank financing for water and sanitation programmes, which will improve primary healthcare systems, boost hygiene and prevent water-borne diseases. pic.twitter.com/KKvFBDR6CX
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 16, 2019
Dr Ruto welcomed the World Bank funded North and North-Eastern Development Initiative (NEDI), saying it would compliment and improve efforts by the national and county governments.