United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan began a two-day tour of Garissa County to inspect various livelihood programmes funded by his government that aim to uplift the lives of the citizens in the area.
The UK government has directly and indirectly partnered with government and non-governmental organizations to set up programmes, among them a nutrition programme for children, and Kuza jamii, a loans programme which advances credit to individuals to set up business.
Speaking in Garissa after viewing an exhibition where beneficiaries showcased their products, which have been acquired though the UK-funded programmes, Wigan said that the UK government had injected 5 million Sterling Pounds into various projects.
Along the Kenya – Somalia – Ethiopia borders, the UK is also undertaking a program known as Deris Wenaag, a Somali word which means good neighborliness, to enhance peace and stability and strengthen the economic dynamics in the border areas.
“We have amazing programmes here in Garissa to help people from poor communities start businesses and improve their lives. We know the people are living in difficult conditions following years of drought and the insecurity threat from the Al shabaab,” Wigan said.
“We have talked to the regional commissioner and the county government, about how they are providing security and how they are working with communities to build peace and better lives for themselves,” he added.
North Eastern Regional Commissioner, John Otieno said that the Kenyan government has been working closely with the UK on several issues including peace, cohesion and security.
“The UK government is funding organizations that are implementing programmes that go a long way in improving peace and development. We have programmes geared towards improving the livelihoods of the vulnerable groups,” Otieno said.
“These projects will help in transitioning those below the poverty line to go beyond the poverty and become self-sustaining,” he added.
By Erick Kyalo
