from Judy Miriga

Folks,

The Case Scenario of Pre and Post organized Election crime fracas, one way or the other had similarity in that violation and crime against humanity, were committed by “Birds of the Same Feathers”, knowing each other’s next plan of action…….. It is the innocent public who continually suffer the loss and are the victims of circumstances…..

Both groups belong to the Status Quo, who planned to outdo each other at their best at election time, without caring for destruction of lives that are consumed or destroyed in the event.

None from contesting Parties are clean…….they have made it a habit to repeatedly hurt the public at every election time, but eventually they regroup to steal from pubic coffer, where they negotiate through backroom deals to jointly eat and share in the loot of public taxpayer funds and utilities…….. this is the reason why corruption, Graft and Impunity are rampant and continue to grow to an alarming rate…….

For the success of ICC Hague to resolve the case effectively, Kibaki and PM Raila should vacate Public Office and dissolve Coalition Government Now……… Their continued stay has a worst case scenario and a prescription for doom, that which will leave Kenya redundantly trodden into bigger Foreign Budget Debt deficit with huge loss from potential resource revenues, from free lease of Public Land and utilities, Natural Resources, mineral and oil exploration, which go directly to foreign accounts not benefiting the people of Kenya neither does it revolve to supplement and improve the country.

However, it is advisable not throw stones at a Glass house incase you also own a glass house. The events consequences could be devastating……..

These are some of the reasons why all this time, the Status Quo in their sworn responsibilities have never been able to deliver favorably to the public, the mandated service according to needs and demands.

Should we therefore say, these are the reasons why PM Raila skirt around in uniting and recycling the corrupt into their leadership camp of Status Quo….???…..and with a show case according to Moi project of Uhuru, there are plans to unite Uhuru with Raila to team up and jointly vie for the next presidential election….????……… What they have in common is to derail the implementation of the New Constitution, because it is not in their favor…………and plans they have up in their shoulder is not good at all for Kenyans. It is because they are not able to substantiate mis-deeds of worst case scenario ranging from the year 2000, just in case we have to put aside for the moment what happened beyond 2000 to-date.

All these activities by “Birds of the Same Feathers” are not feasibly healthy nor are they for the benefit of public. It is the reason coalition Government MUST be dissolved now with extreme urgency to open for investigation of mis-use of public funds, minimize Security risks with other hidden details, so to give ICC Hague a clearer open ended opportunity to deliberate its work without interferences’ from Government operatives or Agents of the Government which might cause conflicts of interests and slow the pace of the Case at ICC Hague. We have already witnessed pockets of insecurity with smart assassinations going on, Unity of common interests are beginning to take dangerous shape, sign of bad things ahead, and we are not going to take this lightly…….We are not going to sit and wait until things get out of control.

Population of Kenya is not the problem, it is these leaders who have lopsided upside-down priorities with careless spending that do not add up. It is these leaders’ foolish incompetency’s and disorganization of service delivery that has failed. It is their clearing of local people from their lands to provide opening for lands that are already sold without public information or consent, through World Bank transactions and IMF, to unscrupulous investors…….It is therefore their lack of intelligence to incorporate sustainable Partnership Development Agenda for Kenyans, the reason why they fell victims to power hungry control network of unscrupulous International Corporate Business of Special Interest who are after “Free Business Trade”, who do not want monitoring for checks and balances, transparency and accountability. It is here where public are ripped off, why poverty is hitting hard and where public taxpayer and resources are exported through offshore transactions using pirating, exchange and transfer of money that are shipped out of Kenya to Asia, Middle East, Latin America, Cuba, Colombia and China just to name a few. It is because of these the reason why Kenya’s Economy is falling apart.

Kenyans are not stupid…….The world is watching……It is therefore true that PM Raila is equally as guilty as any of their cohorts and cartels in many ways including his harped lopsided prime development agenda of 2030. It is this agenda where trillions will be paid by taxpayer from debts they do not benefit directly or indirectly, but what is to be the prescription killer, a direct ticket to their death bed and as they continue to solicit funds through the Ministry of Health. This project instead has evidently killed many people, affected conjugal rights, created more pain and sufferings with excessive poverty, an illegal activity to satisfy self-centeredness.

Raila’s 2030 Visionary Agenda is focusing in Population reduction in Luo Nyanza, through harvesting of “Top Skin” using the Chinese as his Agent Commission in the Human South of Industrial Area. Instead of producing robust products, he has injected deficiency pollution in the area that has caused irreparable health hazard to many.

Wake up people…….. Vision 2030 is for the Status Quo and Special Interests, to benefit from Lake Victoria, Migingo & Ugingo by Dr. Oburu sharing loot in Osienala fronted by an American Evangelist Congressman, Yala Swamp by PM Raila connecting Molasses to Dominion Farms managed by Calvin Burgess with Malindi and Lamu case in point.

It is time the truth must be told and Kibaki and Raila should join Uhuru and Ruto at the ICC Hague, if Kenya must see light of day and be free …….

The magnitude of problem is huge, with Somali refugees pouring in, former corrupt leaders facing ICC Hague to stand trial at Government expense, food prices going up, Dominion Farms with political and business undercutting schemed by Moi, Kibaki, Raila Odinga, Oburu Odinga with others inclusively, are factors that are destroying stability and success of Luo Nyanza, Malindi, Lamu, Turkana, Isiolo etc., and the reason why Local Community leaders are at loggerheads with PM Raila stewardship……why security and life has become an upheld struggle and Livelihood is falling apart.

Kenya is struggling Yes, BUT……will this World Bank money go directly to service the Local People or is it going to Uhuru’s, Kibaki and Compay pockets where some will be shared between PM Raila Odinga and Oburu Odinga extended to benefit Dominion Farms with Osienala projects in South Nyanza where International Corporate Special Interest have shares. Are the International Special Interests not same who rejected, financed and opposed the Reform Agenda at Referendum for Federalism/Majimbo Governance…???……..What makes you think they will support it without shedding blood of the poor masses. How did the money from IMF assisted Kenya, and how will this money from World Bank fizzle down to help the needy, poor and hungry. How will it be different from how they treated funds before? Will it reach the draught stricken areas and be accessed by the local poor peasant farmers without it being diverted…???…….???……Or will it be just business as usual…….??? …… Why then is the Dilly Dally BUDGET discussion silent…….???….. Where is the Official Budget statement from Kenya Government…..???…is this money going to grease the dry hands of the corrupt, who are busy paying non existance dead workers, the private Army and Police in the likes of Mungiki, Al-shabaab and Somali Pirates…….Why is there no immediate Police Reform as was recommended……??? ………OR is this money going to be used for electioneering by the corrupt….???………

How is Dominion Farms with Osienala solving the Local Community’s development Agenda in Partnership………why is there continued growing conflicts with unresolved problems of excessive poverty, pain and sufferings……??? ……Why are Representative politicians quite about this matter……….

We have a problem at hand as Kenyans, and we must find solution to resolve the problem without discrimination or favor if we want to save the Kenya we all want…… to benefit all Mutually in a dignified and honorable manner…….We must call a spade a spade so we can unite and move forward as one forging for common interest fairly without intimidation………but divided, we will all fall……The enemy is waiting to devour……….

People we cannot sit and wait, but push Kibaki and Raila to clear themselves at the ICC Hague……because we believe they are our stambling block for development and progress……….

The World needs to know The Truth………!!!

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

– – – – – – – – – – –

Kenya: Weekly Summary – ICC Rejects Motion to Prosecute Its Nationals
2 September 2011

Arusha — The Appeals chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday rejected Kenyan motion requesting to take back cases of six Kenyans who allegedly committed crimes against humanity during violence after December 2007 presidential election. The same day, French judiciary transferred to Belgium former head of Rwandan Coffee Office, Fabien Neretse.

Kenyan suspect: The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Tuesday rejected a Kenyan motion asking to take back to Kenya cases involving six of its nationals suspected of crimes against humanity in relation to post-election violence of 2007/2008. While Kenya had argued that the adoption of its new constitution in August, 2010 and gradual setting up of new judicial structure meant it would soon be able to run the trials itself, the Appeals Chamber said it rejected the motion on the grounds that Kenya had not proven it was carrying out its own investigations.

Hearing of confirmation of charges: On Tuesday, ICC commenced the hearing of charges confirmation of the three suspects which would run up to September 12, 2011. The suspects include former Higher Education Minister, William Ruto, former Minister for Industrialization, Henry Kosgey and a journalist, Jushua arap Sang. Similar hearings will start on September 21, for the remaining suspects namely, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Uhuru Kenyatta, Secretary to the Cabinet, Francis Kirimi Muthaura and ex-Police Chief, Mohammed Hussein Ali.

Kenya: Hague – Victims Want to See Justice Done
3 September 2011

editorial

THE CONFIRMATION hearing of the suspected perpetrators of the Kenyan post-election violence in finally underway at The Hague and Kenyans are keenly watching in the hope that justice will be delivered without a witch-hunt.

It is time for the suspects to prove themselves innocent as they have been telling Kenyans that they had no role in planning the post-election violence. A number of lawyers have been arguing that the International Criminal Court does not have the jurisdiction to try the suspects.

Those who have been pushing for the referral of the cases from The Hague, argue that Kenya has an effective police force, judiciary and legal system. They have also argued in the past that the cases do not meet the ICC threshold of crimes against humanity.

However, the victims of the 2007-8 post-election violence, some of whom are still languishing in makeshift shelters, have finally had a chance to see those who are suspected of tormenting them go through the court process.

It appears that the month of September is going to be crucial to the Kenyan judiciary, which is currently undergoing major reform. The judiciary will have a lot to learn from the proceedings at the ICC, given that it is lack of faith in the Kenyan judiciary that pushed the cases to The Hague. The confirmation hearing has once more put Kenya and the judiciary under the global spotlight.

The trials could bring an end to the bouts of election-related violence that Kenya has experienced since 1992. Kenyans are not ready to see their livelihoods destroyed every election year. The international community had decided to help Kenya put a stop to this vicious circle.
Unfortunately, some elements in the Kenyan body politic are resisting justice and would like to impunity to persist. While the so-called Ocampo Six have the right to adequate legal representation, the victims, who are generally vulnerable, would also like to see justice done.

Raila’s youngest son Junior ties the knot

Uploaded by NTVKenya on Sep 3, 2011
http://www.ntv.co.ke
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and retired president Daniel Arap Moi were reading from the same script today, urging Kenyans to shun tribalism and vote for visionary leaders regardless of their ethnic background. The two were speaking during the wedding of Raila’s youngest son junior Raila and his longtime sweetheart Yvonne at the Windsor golf and country club.

Moi’s Kanu warms up to Raila

Monday, 05 September 2011 00:03 BY MATHEWS NDANYI

Olive Branch…..???

President Moi with PM Raila during Raila’s son’s wedding on Saturday.

Kanu leaders are considering backing Prime Minister Raila Odinga for President in the 2012 general election. A section of Kanu leaders in Rift valley have planned to meet the PM in two weeks time to discuss a working relationship ahead of the polls. And retired President Moi at the weekend hinted at a possible roundtable meeting with Raila.

The former Head of State, attending the wedding of Raila’s son in Nairobi, said though he had sometimes differed with the PM on principle, the two still do meet to deliberate various issues. Moi spoke as his son Gideon, who is the Kanu vice chairman, rubbished the G7 alliance which brings together Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. Also in the alliance are Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and Trade Minister Chirau Ali Makwere.

Gideon said the G7 is a short-term alliance and that some of leaders in the group would drop out because of self interest. “Today its G7 tomorrow it will be G6 and by next year it will be G1”, Gideon said. In Eldoret, some of the Kanu leaders allied to Moi said they had already agreed to work with ODM during next year’s election.

The Kanu officials include those from the Uasin Gishu, Marakwet/Keiyo, Nandi and Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Pokot and Baringo counties. Eldoret East Kanu branch chairman Philip Chesire who led the group said, “We do not want to be left stranded because politicians and parties are busy discussing alliances ahead of the 2012 polls. We are part of the politics of this region and that is why we have to come up with our plan for the election.”

But Kanu secretary general Nick Salat said the party was yet to make any formal decision on the 2012 polls. “People are free to meet and discuss issues but Kanu structures are yet to meet and discuss the matter,” said Salat. He said Kanu may still field its own candidate in the polls. Salat accused Uhuru of holding Kanu at ransom for the benefit of the G7 group or the PNU alliance. “Let him know that no matter what he does Kanu will never die and we will meet at the ballot box next year,” said Salat. Uhuru is the party chairman.

But even as Salat said Kanu was yet to decide, Chesire argued the group had been prompted to work with ODM owing to the situation on the ground and based on the pressure from party members to organise for 2012. Chesire said the new relationship with ODM does not mean the Kanu members will decamp to the party led by the PM. “We have already booked an appointment to meet with the PM in two weeks to discuss how we will work together,” said Chesire.

He added that alliances were the best way for parties to work together during the 2012 polls and in future. The Kanu leaders have already presented to the PM’s office a list of party officials and members who will be meeting with the PM to deliberate on how the working relationship will be strengthened. Gideon has maintained a low profile on Kanu issues following wrangles between him and the group led by Uhuru. He has sharply differed with Uhuru and the two are likely to go separate ways in 2012. Kanu still has a considerable network in Rift Valley.

Keiyo South branch chairman Paul Kibet said they had already decided not to back Uhuru or any alliance he will be involved in. But allies of Ruto dismissed Kanu as an irrelevant outfit in the Rift valley where UDM is gaining ground in readiness for the 2012 polls. Keiyo South MP Jackson Kiptanui said: “UDM will be the party of the time and signs are already there for all to see”. He said UDM is ready for competition with Kanu and other outfits that will come up in the next election. Sources indicate Raila’s group may talk to the National Vision Party (NVP) to back the ODM alliance in 2012. The NVP is led by former powerful minister Nicholas Biwott who is a close ally of the Moi family.

Kenya: Uhuru Link With Raila for 2012
Francis Mureithi
18 August 2010

Nairobi — THE Kikuyu community is planning a crucial meeting next month at its ancestral Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine to formally endorse Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as the heir to President Kibaki.

Some of Uhuru’s family members and influential Kikuyu elders also want him to be Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s running mate in the 2012 elections.

Sources close to Uhuru told the Star yesterday that some elders met recently and decided Uhuru’s presidential ambitions will be boosted if he forms a pact with Raila instead of an alliance with Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Higher Education Minister William Ruto.

“The elders and some of Uhuru’s relatives think Raila is the best man to back for the Presidency because Kalonzo is weak while many Kikuyus are not comfortable with Ruto,” said a source familiar with the ongoing discussions.

On Monday night Uhuru joined Raila’s cocktail for MPs who supported the Yes campaign. At the event Raila himself downplayed talk of an alliance with Uhuru terming it a creation of the media.

“Please give us a break. Not everybody who comes to see Raila comes to form an alliance. If we want an alliance, we will do one in secrecy,” Raila told the more than 100 MPs at his Karen home.

Last week Uhuru along with his extended family visited Raila at his Karen home for a five-hour meeting laced with heavy political undertones. Odinga has been recovering at home after undergoing brain surgery on June 29. Both Raila and Uhuru’s aides have played down the visit.

“These are families that have known each other for the longest time.

They are the first bunch of royalty in Kenya. Even when Raila was still in shorts, he did not think Uhuru as a Kikuyu, they thought themselves as nobles of the day. They’ve come from very far so it is very wrong to say that when they share a goat, they are talking of an alliance,” said an Uhuru associate.

However another source indicated the visit was deliberately leaked to the media to test public reaction to the possible alliance.

Next month’s meeting set for Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga in Murang’a District is part of the plan to build Uhuru’s profile. The exact date is yet to be agreed.

Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga, considered the birthplace of the Kikuyu, is revered as a sacred place and the community is supposed to be bound by any decision taken there.

The meeting to endorse Uhuru is being organised by Central Kenya Parliamentary Group, the Gema Cultural Association and the new Mt Kenya Foundation comprising mainly influential business personalities close to President Kibaki.

During a meeting organised by the three groups at the Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru in June, over 1,500 delegates endorsed Uhuru to lead the Yes campaigns in Central Kenya.

Cabinet ministers, assistant ministers, current and former MPs, business people, religious leaders and delegates from constituencies across the country with roots in Central and Mt Kenya region are expected to attend the meeting next month.

Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga is the grove of trees where Kikuyu believe Ngai (God) sent a man called Gikuyu to find a woman called Mumbi who became his wife, which led to the birth of the Kikuyu.

The community still sacrifices a goat under a fig tree as an offering asking for divine intervention when serious decisions need to be made.

The Mt Kenya community is buoyed by the 2.7 million votes it consolidated in support of the new constitution.

“If we solidify our votes as we did at the referendum, we will be the bride in 2012. What we want to agree on during this meeting is who will lead us,” said a meeting organiser.

Uhuru allies yesterday indicated there was little chance of the much hyped Kikuyu-Kamba-Kalenjin alliance with Kalonzo and Ruto fielding one candidate for 2012 as both the VP and Ruto have indicated they also want to run for President.

Some of Uhuru’s advisers feel that many Kikuyus would find it hard to vote for Ruto as his running mate because of the 2008 post-election violence in which many Kikuyus especially in the Rift Valley were victimised.

If the Raila-Uhuru plan fails to materialise, Uhuru will go for the presidency on his own. the advisers said. His likely running mate would then be youthful Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa.

“Initially the thinking was that Ruto could make a good running mate, but it is becoming clear that he also wants to vie for Presidency. The same applies to the Vice President,” said Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuhie.

“However it is not sealed yet. In politics anything can happen.”

Naivasha MP John Mututho yesterday said Uhuru will easily succeeded Kibaki after he is formally endorsed by the community.

“Within Central Kenya and the diaspora, who is the leader? It is not John Mututho, not Martha Karua, not Peter Kenneth, not Mwai Kibaki any more, it is Uhuru,” said Mututho.

The new constitution stipulates that a winning candidate must garner at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in at least 24 out of the total 47 counties in addition to 50 per cent of the overall votes.

PNU spokesman Moses Kuria yesterday said Uhuru delivered to the Yes camp all the constituencies he was assigned including those outside Central Province.

He denied that Uhuru’s visits to Raila’s home reflected on 2012 politics.

“Raila has been unwell. As a national leader, Uhuru was bound to go there,” said Kuria. “He is going to reach out to everybody without exception. It is not for pursuit of power but for the unity of the country.”

Vision 2030 Is Not Realistic – Wikileaks
Lola Okulo
2 September 2011

THE US views Kenya’s development plan Vision 2030 as highly ambitious and largely unattainable considering past failed economic plans by government.

Latest Wikileaks cables sent to the US government by immediate former ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger in May 2007 casts doubt on the practicability of the vision.

However, though the blueprint was launched almost towards the 2007 election period, the cable said it was launched in good faith and not for political mileage by President Mwai Kibaki’s government. “The Vision captures nearly the entire reform agenda and is thus awesomely ambitious in scope – and by the same token, probably unrealistic. Consistent and coherent implementation of anything so large will be problematic,” states a part of the cable released last week by Wikileaks.

Vision 2030 formulation started in October 2006 when Kibaki National Vision Steering Committee to produce a development plan for the country. The plan seeks to propel Kenya to middle income economy level with improved living standards for citizens. It also seeks to achieve a 10 per cent GDP growth annually for the country. Kenya’s GDP grew by 5 per cent in 2010 and the Central Bank had predicted another growth 5.7 per cent for 2011 earlier in the year. The vision is based on three pillars which are economic, social and political development.

The cable cited the vision as capturing the entire reform agenda to make the country a mature democracy and middle income economy all at one go.

Therefore, the cable noted, “Vision 2030 often reads like a naive call for a perfect society, smacking a bit of old-fashioned socialist central planning.”

The government, according to the cable, is good at composing ambitious plans and strategies to address key challenges faced by the country but is equally infamous for failing to implement such plans. The cable cites an example of over 20 year old plans to build by-pass roads around Nairobi which had not been built at the time.

Presently, several by-pass roads are in the process of construction while the Vision 2030 secretariat prides in the passing of the new constitution as one of the major achievements to roll out reform agenda politically and eventually socially.

Though largely cynical of the government strategy until 2030, the cable also notes that with political will, some major gains could be made within the Vision 2030 framework. “But with the right leadership and a little bit of luck, Vision 2030, even if only partially successful, could help frame a reform agenda that puts Kenya on a higher growth path,” states the cable in part.

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
Kenya: Kibaki Warns Coast Youth
Brian Otieno
3 September 2011

President Kibaki yesterday cautioned Coast residents not to entertain individuals suspected to have links with Al-Shabaab or any other outlawed groups including the Mombasa Republican Council.

He specifically called on the residents to be in the frontline to report any such individuals. He said peace and security is important in the country.”As Kenyans we must guard against persons who will want to use our country as a base to destabilise our country and region,” said Kibaki during the opening of the Mombasa ASK Show on Thursday.

The Coast has been used by suspected Al-Shabaab militia, which has links with the Al-Qaida, as a base for recruitment and at times training of youths.

Slain Al-Qaida head in East Africa Fazul Mohamed had his base in Lamu from where he plotted the 1998 bombing of two American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania that killed more than 200 people.

He also organised the 2002 attacks on two Israeli targets, including the bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya, which killed 13 people, and an attempt to shoot down a passenger plane on a flight to Israel from Mombasa.”I encourage the people of this region to be at the forefront in reporting any such persons to the authorities. Let us bear in mind that Kenya belongs to all of us. This is our motherland,” he said.

The Coast has also had some moments of tension with the outlawed Mombasa Republican Council threatening to revolt against the government.

The group has threatened to bar youths from the Coast from voting in the next general elections and have already confiscated thousands of national identity cards.

One of its members on Thursday cut short Kibaki’s speech when he stormed into the aren while the president was addressing the gathered crowd.

World Bank steps in to help an overwhelmed Kenya

By Alex Thurston, Guest blogger / September 2, 2011

Kenya is not “on the brink” right now, but it faces a host of problems. Inflation is high, and getting higher. The shilling dipped to record lows this summer. Drought in the Horn of Africa, which affects northern Kenya, pushes food prices higher and drives pastoralists from their homes. Thousands of refugees from Somalia are pouring into the country. In Nairobi, politicians are wrestling with the Constitutional Implementation Commission over the passage of bills necessary for the promulgation of the new constitution. Meanwhile, some of Kenya’s most prominent public figures are headed to The Hague for the last major legal step before their trials – on accusations of fomenting violence after the 2007 elections – begin. In short, Kenyan authorities have a lot on their plate.

The World Bank is responding to these problems by providing Kenya with $407 million in loans:

The money will be used to supplement existing projects in agriculture, health and water and sanitation and to scale up medium-term to long-term interventions in energy and water resources management.
[…]

The additional funding will be used to diversify pastoralists’ livelihoods, provide seeds to farmers, treat malnutrition, drill and repair boreholes and provide cash transfers to orphans and vulnerable children.

The timing and size of the loan suggest to me that the Bank is worried about Kenya, although perhaps not severely so. Their latest economic assessments of the country (see below) have acknowledged the difficulties of the present while expressing optimism about the future.

During the last major drought, in 2009, the Kenyan government was harshly criticized for alleged inaction. Perhaps this year will see a more aggressive response to the crisis by Nairobi and its partners.

VOA has more details about how the loans will be used.

– Alex Thurston is a PhD student studying Islam in Africa at Northwestern University and blogs at Sahel Blog.

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of Africa bloggers. Our guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor and the views expressed are the bloggers’ own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. To contact us about a blogger, click here.

Projects and Programs

As of April 2011, the World Bank’s portfolio in Kenya consists of 22 active operations with a total commitment of over US$2.0 billion and five regional projects with a total commitment of US$318.5 million. The largest share of commitments is in infrastructure (transport, energy and telecommunications), water, agriculture, natural resource management, and health and education. In fiscal year 2011 (June to July), the Bank’s Executive Board of Directors has approved three credits for Informal Settlement Improvement (US$100 million), Total War Against HIV/AIDS additional financing (US$55 million) and Coastal Development (US$35 million). In the previous fiscal year, the Board approved four projects for Health Support (US$100 million), Electricity Expansion (US$330 million) Municipal Program (US$100 million) and Youth Empowerment Project (US$60 million). In fiscal 2009, the Board approved four projects, the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project additional financing, Energy Sector Recovery Project addition
al financing, the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Project and the Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Project.

For more information, please link to the specific project below:

Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project. This US$100 million project approved in March 2011 will improve living conditions of Kenyans in informal urban settlements, strengthen the security of tenure and improve physical infrastructure in informal settlements in the large municipalities. It will also improve regional competitiveness and address urban conflicts in the largest cities, which are facing challenges of rapidly increasing population. The project will complement the activities of the Kenya Municipal Program, a US$100 million credit approved by the Board in May 2010 to improve service delivery in Kenya’s municipalities. The municipal program will improve the viability of Kenya’s 15 largest municipalities by strengthening their local governance, institutions and physical infrastructure as the government implements devolution in line with the new constitution.

Kenya Electricity Expansion Project. This US$330 million project will increase electricity access to Kenyans in urban, peri-urban and rural areas, and enable Kenya to expand geothermal power generation as part of its green energy development strategy. The project is part of a US$1.4 billion investment in electricity sector by the government, the Bank and other development partners in support of the government’s strategy to accelerate infrastructure development to strengthen foundations for growth and competitiveness. This project will build on the Kenya – Energy Sector Recovery Project, which the Bank has supported since 2004 with an investment of US$160 million to increase geothermal generation, improve electricity distribution and implement electrification programs to support economic growth and reduce regional disparities.

Kenya – Energy Sector Recovery Project . This US$160 million project includes US$80 million approved in July 2004 and additional financing of US$80 million approved in April 2009. The project will improve electricity distribution and implement electrification programs to support economic growth and reduce regional disparities. It will also support efforts to reduce the cost of doing business by reducing power outages, which are a major constraint to private sector growth and job creation. The overall objectives of the project include to: (a) enhance the policy, institutional, and regulatory environment for private sector participation and sector development; (b) expand power generation capacity to meet the economy’s projected supply deficits; and (c) increase access to electricity in urban and peri-urban areas while improving the efficiency, reliability, and quality of services to existing consumers.

Kenya Youth Empowerment Project. This US$60 million project approved by the Board in May 2010 will support unemployed youth in Kenya. It will enable the government to increase access to youth-targeted temporary employment programs and to improve youth employability.

Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Project. The US$82 million credit approved by the Board in June 2009 will consolidate and scale up the gains achieved in research, extension and small scale farmer empowerment during the implementation of the Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project that closed in December 2008. It will also enable farmers to strengthen agribusiness development. The project is linked to the East Africa Agricultural Productivity Program and the Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Sustainable Land Management Project.

Kenya Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project . The US$460 million project includes a US$207 million financing approved in June 2004 and additional financing of US$253 million approved in April 2009. The original Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project was designed to increase efficiency in road transport along the Northern Corridor, facilitate trade and regional integration, and enhance aviation safety to meet international standards. It also seeks to promote private sector participation in the management, financing, and maintenance of road assets. The additional financing is to complete remaining contracts on the Northern Corridor including the Mau Summit – Kisumu Road section. It will also finance rehabilitation and replacement of infrastructure and public assets damaged during the 2008 post-election crisis.

Kenya Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. The US$50 million project will scale up social protection for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to increase social safety net access for extremely poor OVC households through an effective and efficient expansion of the existing CT-OVC Program.

Water and Sanitation Service Improvement Project. This US$150 million credit approved in December 2007 will increase access of the Kenyan people to reliable, affordable and sustainable water supply and sanitation services. It will also improve water and waste water services. The project will support the Athi Water Services, Coast Water Services and Lake Victoria North Services boards. In addition, it will provide complementary technical assistance, goods and works to the Water Sector Regulatory Board and the Water Appeal Board.

Total War Against HIV and AIDS. The additional financing approved by the Bank Board in December 2010 increased the credit for this project to US$135 million. The credit of US$ 80 million approved earlier in June 2007 was the first from the World Bank for HIV/AIDS in Kenya since December 2000. The development objective of the project is to assist Kenya to expand the coverage of targeted HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation interventions through sustaining the improved performance of the National Aids Control Council and supporting the implementation of the Kenya National Aids Strategic Plan for 2005/6 – 2009/10. It is part of a program co-financed by the Bank, Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the Kenyan Government. This credit is the successor to the Kenya HIV and AIDS Disaster Response Project—a US$50 million credit approved in December 2000 that closed in December 2005.

Western Kenya Community Driven Development and Flood Mitigation Project. The US$86 million project aims to create new opportunities for the local communities in Western Kenya to engage in wealth creating livelihood activities and reduce their vulnerability to flooding. Although Western Kenya is rich in natural resources, the local communities remain poor and vulnerable to flooding, disease and natural resource degradation. The project will provide technical support and funding for demand-driven, income generating micro projects in 600 communities, including 200 projects earmarked for youth groups in Western Kenya Province, Siaya and Bondo. There is also funding for the fight against malaria. Over one million community members will directly benefit from Community Driven Development (CDD) activities.

Natural Resource Management Project. The US$68.5 million project will be used to help Kenyans better manage water and forest resources, and improve the livelihoods of surrounding communities. Communities organized in Water Resource User Associations and Community Forest Associations will benefit from funding to improve catchment management and efficient water use. As an alternative to forestry, communities will also receive support for asset building and income generating micro-projects which encourage the sustainable use of the natural resources. About 1,000 communities will receive this assistance which will generate benefits for over 2 million people. The project will target communities in the critical Upper Tana catchment and key ecosystems in the Nzoia and Yala river basins, linking with the Western Kenya project. It will also strengthen key national institutions.

Transparency and Communications Infrastructure Project. This is part of the World Bank-financed Regional Communications Infrastructure Program designed to improve the connectivity of the East and Southern Africa with the rest of the world and make the region more competitive. The US$114.4 million for Kenya will facilitate connectivity for the country’s emerging business process outsourcing industry, support the creation of digital villages in rural and urban areas, and accelerate e-Government services such as the digitization of Land and High Court Registry records, and drivers’ license registration.

Development of the National Statistical System Project is a US$20.5 million credit that aims at establishing a sustainable national statistical system to provide reliable, timely and accurate data in accordance with international standards through: (a) strengthening the capacity of the relevant statistical agencies through training and adoption of new information and communication technology; (b) carrying out legal and institutional reforms that promote statistical data.

Institutional Reform and Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project is a US$25 million TA that aims to strengthen public financial management systems to enhance their transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to public expenditure policy priorities as well as to improve public service delivery. Public financial management systems will be strengthened through the effective implementation of Results Based Management.

East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (Kenya component) is a US$120.6 million project that aims to improve railway services in Kenya and Uganda. The project consists of the following components: (a) Support to East African Community (EAC) Customs Union Implementation; (b) Institutional support for Transport Facilitation; (c) Investment Support for Trade and Transport Facilitation; and (d) Support to Kenya and Uganda Railways Concessions.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Competitiveness Project is a US$22 million project that targets increased productivity and employment in participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). At least 2,500 new jobs are expected to be created in participating MSMEs by the end of the project as well as a corresponding increase in value added per worker of 20 percent. The project has four main components: (a) access to finance; (b) strengthening enterprise skills and market linkages; (c) improving the business environment; and (d) institutional capacity building.

Financial and Legal Sector Technical Assistance Project. This project is a US$18 million technical assistance operation that focuses on creating a sound financial system and strengthened legal and judicial capacity to ensure broad access to financial and related legal services. Several outcomes are expected of this project: (a) an increase in the number of people with access to financial services; (b) a rise in private sector credit; (c) fewer non-performing loans; (d) lower spreads between average deposit and lending rate for prime customers; and (e) smaller backlogs in commercial cases and higher business satisfaction with the judiciary.

Development Learning Centre LIL. This US$ 2.7 million LIL will test the effectiveness and sustainability of a development learning centre in Kenya as part of a global knowledge-sharing network to strengthen the capacity of public, private, and civil society decision-makers and implementers to design, plan, and manage social and economic development policies and programs.