EU achieving its poverty reduction agenda

Allow me to make a clarification in response to local media articles on September 9 and 10 on the report by the European Court of Auditors, the EU’s independent external auditor, which has a similar role and mandate to the Kenyan Auditor-General.

The support the EU gives to Kenya is based on the country’s needs and priorities as per the EU’s global objective to reduce poverty, in line with the priorities of the EU’s Agenda for Change.

The sectors that received EU funding in 2014-2020 were selected in partnership with the government, based on the Kenya National Development Plan (Vision 2030) and mindful of the cooperation and EU members’ plans.

The EU applies a results-based approach in all its programmes. On sustainable infrastructure and transport, key deliverables included the rehabilitation of the Eldoret-Malaba road (120km, Northern Corridor) and the construction of Merille River-Marsabit road (120km, Cape Town-Cairo Corridor). These two were recently concluded and contributed to improved connectivity, trade and economic integration.

On energy, the EU contributed to the construction of Lake Turkana Wind project, the largest wind farm in Sub-Saharan Africa, increasing the country’s renewable energy production capacities by 21 per cent.

On agriculture, innovative approaches for cereal enhancement and conservation agriculture were put in place, benefiting 168,000 smallholder farmers.

In addition, the capacities of local institutions to prevent and respond to droughts were strengthened, and the EU contributed to the successful containment of a locust invasion from 30 afflicted counties down to two.

Furthermore, in response to strengthening agricultural value chains and jobs, notably for youth in agriculture, two flagship programmes have been put in place: AGRIFI, EUR45M and AGRIBIZ, EUR 43.5.

The EU has contributed to Kenya’s economic and social progress in the past decade, and the European Court of Auditors acknowledges that the EU’s projects have largely achieved their objectives. In line with the Court’s recommendations, an enhanced performance-based approach was introduced this year in the EU’s new budget support programme (EUR26M).

These are fundamental to the fight against corruption, underpinned by the ongoing EU support to justice and the rule of law. Since 2018, PLEAD, EUR34M supports better access to justice for citizens and the fight against corruption. Several interventions contribute to justice, human rights and good governance

Job creation and transformative ‘Team Europe Initiatives’ will be prominently in the talks on the next country programme.

Simon Mordue, EU Ambassador to Kenya, Nairobi.