Germany pledges Ksh.17 B for MDG projects

Written By:PPS,    Posted: Tue, Jul 12, 2011

Dr Merkel is accompanied by several German legislators and investors led by Federal Minister for Agriculture Mrs. Ilse Aigner. The Federal Government of Germany has pledged 140 million Euros (Ksh. 17.5 billion) during the 2010-2013 period to fund various projects in Kenya covering key social sectors critical to the attainment of Millennium Development Goals, President Mwai Kibaki has said. Briefing the press Tuesday, after the bilateral talks with the German delegation led by the country's Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel at State House, Nairobi, President Kibaki expressed gratitude for the valuable support and looked forward to the next round of Kenya-Germany bilateral negotiations for development cooperation arrangements scheduled for 2012. The Head of State affirmed that the government has created a conducive investment environment in the country and impressed on German investors to take advantage of the investment environment prevailing in the country. President Kibaki recommended to German investors the lucrative infrastructural projects for the construction of the Lamu Port and the Lamu-Ethiopia-South Sudan rail, road and pipeline link. On implementation of the country's constitution, the two leaders also exchanged views on the implementation of Kenya's new Constitution noting the progress made so far including the passage of laws crucial to the implementation process. President Kibaki said the Government has operationalized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Act, the Independent Offices Act, the Constitution implementation Commission Act, the Vetting of Magistrates and Judges Act and the Judicial Service Commission Act which are now operational. Saying the task of implementing the Constitution requires massive resources and manpower, the President appealed for financial and capacity building support from the German Government. At the regional level, the two leaders noted that Kenya and Germany were associated with efforts leading to the birth of the newly independent state of South Sudan. Dr. Merkel commended Kenya as an honest broker to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement together with other IGAD member states. The Chancellor observed that Germany remained a committed member of the IGAD Partner's Forum and reaffirmed her government's commitment to the provision of technical and financial support needed for the reconstruction of the new state. On Somalia, the leaders underscored the need for the international community to support the Kampala Accord and strengthen the capacity of the Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM forces to stabilize Somalia. Touching on international issues President Kibaki and Dr. Merkel committed themselves to maintaining a close partnership while consulting on various issues of common concern both at the United Nations and other multilateral fora. In the spirit of the partnership, President Kibaki enlisted Germany's support in strengthening the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and ensuring that the location of its Headquarters remains in Nairobi.  During the bilateral talks, President Kibaki and Dr Merkel expressed satisfaction with the existing warm and friendly relations between the two countries and stressed the need to enhance German support to development projects in Kenya.  President Kibaki and the German Chancellor witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for establishment of a delegation office for German industry and commerce in Nairobi to give impetus to promoting trade cooperation. In her remarks, Dr Merkel In her address the German Chancellor hailed the longstanding ties between Kenya and Germany noting her country was among the first nations of the world to recognize Kenya upon independence in 1963.Dr Merkel disclosed that Germany would donate One million Euros (€ 1Million) towards intervention programmes on the large numbers of refugees streaming into the Northern Parts of Kenya from Somalia. In this regard she appreciated Kenya's role in brokering peace in the East African region and efforts to stabilize peace and security in both Somalia and South Sudan under very difficult circumstances. She further expressed Germany's willingness and pledged support to strengthen Kenya's electoral system in preparation for next year's general elections so as to avoid the repeat of the post election events and enable the country to continue on its peaceful path. Others fields of cooperation that Chancellor identified for support to Kenya include agriculture, energy and infrastructural development particularly the building of the Port of Lamu. In order to deepen economic and commercial activities between the two nations, Dr Merkel noted her country would open a delegation office and encouraged the Government to continue creating a secure investment environment. In attendance were Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Cabinet Ministers Prof George Saitoti, Charity Ngilu, Kiraitu Murungi, Yusuf Haji, Beth Mugo, Mutula Kilonzo, Chirau Mwakwere, Dr Sally Kosgei, Prof Helen Sambili and their respective Permanent Secretaries. On her part the Dr Merkel was accompanied by several German legislators and investors led by Federal Minister for Agriculture Mrs. Ilse Aigner. Kenya is the Chancellor's first stop-over in her three-nation Africa visit which covers Angola and Nigeria. The visit s a sign of recognition in Kenya's role on political and economic development in the region