The County government of Uasin Gishu has received a diplomatic delegation led by the Israel ambassador to Kenya Michael Lotem for discussions on possibilities of the two countries entering into partnerships in various sectors.
Both parties extensively discussed the potential cooperation in a number of sectors including Agriculture, Environment and Housing, Water, Health, ICT and innovation.
Global issues like food security and climate change are also of major concern to the two entities and one of the top goals is using green energy to support agricultural productivity.
The Israel government is keen to partner and explore investment opportunities, even as Eldoret prepares to expand and offer more business prospects, once it is declared Kenya’s fifth city.
The ambassador expressed Israel’s interest in collaborating with the county in the agricultural sector, citing the importance of the dairy and agricultural sectors in raising the standard of living for the residents and ensuring food security.
“The cooperation will help to evaluate potential possibilities of collaboration because Israel is known for its modern agricultural practices,” he said.
Lotem further said that he was glad to collaborate with the County in the distribution of particular types of medication, highlighting the necessity for a long-term solution in the healthcare industry.
On his part, the County Governor Jonathan Bii noted that in the process of Eldoret being conferred city status, they have agreed on mobilisation of investors to engage in projects such as housing, water, solid waste management urban roads transport system, sewage articulation and urban mobility.
“Israel has excelled in solid waste, recycling of 90% of treatment sewage to agriculture and we plan to adopt the same going forward,” he said.
“On water and sanitation, the areas of collaboration will include adaption of new technologies on water provision through digitization of the process, exchange program and knowledge transfer, importation of smart meters through standard chartered ventures from Israel, construction of dams through Public Private Partnership (PPP) and creating new water infrastructures,” said Bii.
The governor added that in universal health care, Israel has pledged to support the county with medical equipment worth Sh437 million, that will be distributed in two phases.
The partnerships will also include laboratory innovations, training of staff, provision of medical equipment, ICT infrastructures, telemedicine and informatics, digitized inventory management and diagnostic equipment to reduce patient referrals with specialized diseases.
On agriculture, Bii said that all farmers in all wards will be trained by Israel government on best practices in order to increase production, while Artificial Insemination kits will be imported from the foreign country to improve on local milk production.
The partnerships underscore the strength of the special partnership between Uasin Gishu and Israel, which is based on shared goals and common interests as well as a long history of friendship,” added the governor.
By Judy Too
