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President William Ruto is set to return from his prominent visit to the United States with a wealth of new deals and commitments totaling over Ksh.52 billion ($395.15M). During the trip, Ruto and President Joe Biden signed several agreements across various sectors, which reinforced the ties between Kenya and the United States.
The four-day State Visit yielded substantial financial and investment gains for Kenya. Notably, Kenya has also been recognized as a major non-NATO ally of the United States, marking a historic first for a sub-Saharan African nation.
The White House said that these agreements are built on the six-decade-long relationship between the two countries. The funds committed by U.S. state departments and agencies will support Kenya in numerous areas, including democracy, human rights, governance, health, climate solutions, trade, digital technology, and security.
Key financial allocations include Ksh.5.3 billion ($40 million) for democracy, human rights, and governance, and an additional Ksh.93 million ($700,000) to support the implementation of the Public Benefits Organization Act. USAID will provide Ksh.173 million ($1.3 million) for youth empowerment and Ksh.80 million ($600,000) to promote disability inclusion.
To combat corruption, the U.S. committed Ksh.66 million ($500,000) for a new Fiscal Integrity Program and another Ksh.66 million ($500,000) to expand anti-corruption advocacy. Additionally, Ksh.33 million ($250,000) will be allocated through the Global Accountability Program, and Ksh.40 million ($300,000) will support a proposed Whistleblower Protection law. USAID also set aside Ksh.358 million ($2.7 million) to enhance the enforcement of anti-fraud policies and laws in public service delivery.
Furthermore, the U.S. will invest Ksh.929 million ($7 million) in modernizing Kenya’s National Police Service and Ksh.650 million ($4.9 million) to improve regional cooperation in tackling criminal networks.
To support electoral reforms in Kenya, Ksh.199 million ($1.5 million) will be allocated to strengthen the election commission, political parties, and campaign finance systems. The U.S. will also contribute Ksh.4.1 billion ($31 million) towards developing a digital superhighway for healthcare, and provide a direct loan of Ksh.1.3 billion ($10 million) to Hewa Tele and equity investments in Kasha Global.
In the education sector, Ksh.66 million ($500,000) will support the development of students, scientists, and researchers, with USAID committing Ksh.3.2 billion ($24.5 million) to the Kenya Primary Literacy Program.
Additional investments include Ksh.40 million ($300,000) to support women’s entrepreneurship and gender equity in the energy sector, and Ksh.478 million ($3.6 million) for cleaner electricity connections. The U.S. will also fund hydropower projects and the transition to zero-emissions vehicles.
Private Kenyan companies will also benefit, with Pezesha Africa Limited receiving a Ksh.66 million ($500,000) technical assistance grant, and M-KOPA being granted a Ksh.6.8 billion ($51 million) loan to make smartphones more affordable for low-income borrowers.
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