- The Kesses Solar Project in Eldoret has received Shs 3.9 billion ($34 million)
- The United Kingdom also announced Shs 800 million ($7 million) in funding to restore deforested and degraded land in Kenya.
- At COP26, 140 countries pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030
The UK Government announced new funding for solar energy, forest restoration, and other nature projects in Kenya today, totalling Shs 4.7 billion. ($41 million). The Kesses Solar Project in Eldoret has received Shs 3.9 billion ($34 million) in funding from the UK-backed Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund, which will help drive clean green energy in Kenya. When completed, the plant will improve energy access for thousands of people and create up to 400 construction jobs, assisting Kenya in reaching its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030, as announced at COP26 last year.
The United Kingdom also announced Shs 800 million ($7 million) in funding to restore deforested and degraded land in Kenya. The package was unveiled at a launch event for the Greening Kaptagat Project in Elgeyo Marakwet, a project supported by Shs 75 million in UK funding and delivered in collaboration with the WWF and the Eliud Kipchoge Foundation.
At COP26, 140 countries pledged to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030, including Kenya and the United Kingdom. Today’s announcement, made in collaboration with PS Chris Kiptoo, World Marathon Champion Eliud Kipchoge, and WWF CEO Mohamed Awer, contributes to putting this pledge into action. Unsustainable agricultural practices, illegal logging, overgrazing, forest encroachment, and charcoal production are immediate threats to the Kaptagat landscape. The Greening Kaptagat Forest project seeks to mitigate these threats by providing access to sustainable development activities that will restore over 1,000 hectares of forest and benefit over 1,000 people living in the Kaptagat forest landscape.
The Kapkoi-Kibogy solar-powered water project was also unveiled, which will provide a steady flow of water for household consumption for approximately 800 Kaptagat residents.