WASHINGTON, USA
The United States of America government says it has been financially supporting Kenya to host refugees and asylum seekers from other African countries including Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ethiopia among others.
According to communication from the US State department, Kenya was given nearly $106 million (approximately Ksh.11 billion) for refugee protection and humanitarian assistance last year.
“The U.S. has
provided nearly $106 million for refugee protection and humanitarian assistance
to help Kenya as it provides regional leadership by hosting refugees and asylum
seekers from Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
Ethiopia, and elsewhere,” says the State department.
On matters security,
the US State department says it contributed Ksh.1.7 billion (USD17 million) for
counter terrorism law enforcement assistance in Kenya and that it has been
providing Ksh.100 million every year for training and education assistance to
the Kenya Defense Forces.
To help Kenya combat the
COVID-19 pandemic, the US government disclosed that to date it has provided
more than Ksh.2.3 billion (USD23 million) in overall health and humanitarian
assistance to combat the pandemic and lessen economic impacts.
These details emerged
as President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday at State House, Nairobi held
bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
During the virtual meeting, President Kenyatta and Secretary Blinken discussed trade and investment opportunities, touching on the untapped potential held by the Kenya-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Also discussed was
Kenya’s elevated role in regional peace and security as a member of the UN
Security Council. Other matters discussed by President Kenyatta and Secretary
Blinken were human rights, refugees, health and climate change.
On climate change,
President Kenyatta applauded the US for rejoining the Paris Agreement and
congratulated President Joe Biden for convening the recent Leaders’ Summit
which sought to consolidate global solidarity on the matter.
Once again, President
Kenyatta affirmed Kenya’s commitment to strengthening its bilateral ties and
forging a strong partnership with the United States of America.
President Kenyatta
was accompanied to the meeting by Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo and Head
of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua.
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