[Kenya] ...Gets Sh1.1 Billion for Poverty Eradication

from All Africa

Elizabeth Mwai
Nairobi

Kenya has received Sh1.1 billion from the European Commission for poverty eradication.

The money will be used to enhance the capacity of Government officials to enforce environmental regulations and promote community-based initiatives in environment conservation.

Planning and National Development minister Henry Obwocha on Wednesday said unsustainable utilisation and mismanagement of natural resources was a major challenge to the Government's effort to tackle poverty.

"We need to protect our environment if we are to realise economic growth," Obwocha said in a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary Edward Sambili.

The four-year programme dubbed "Community Development for Environment Management"(CDEMP) focuses on waste management in urban areas, and energy saving ways targeting the ecosystems in both rural and urban areas.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel , Obwocha said the programme would complement the Government's effort to integrate environmental concerns into the development process.