Sweden is a long-standing partner with Kenya. We have worked together for development and poverty reduction since independence. I am pleased that we today are signing the agreement for the next phase of our joint efforts to promote Kenya’s development towards a prosperous nation where all Kenyans can benefit from economic growth and participate in shaping their future. To achieve development the implementation of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act is imperative.
A cooperation strategy for Kenya for the period 2009-2013 was decided by the Swedish Government early 2009. The goal is a Kenya in which all poor people have the opportunity to improve their living conditions, and where their human rights are realised. The Swedish strategy is supporting Kenya’s priorities. It is based on the Kenya Joint Assistance Strategy, the Medium Term Plan for 2008-2012 and the NARA.
Our development cooperation with Kenya will amount to approximately SEK 350 million (KES 3,5 billion) per year, all provided as grants. Our cooperation over the coming five years will focus on democratic governance and human rights, natural resources and the environment, and urban development. We will work with the Kenyan Government to promote institutional reform and also with civil society in advocacy, dialogue and service delivery.
Swedish support will be clearly linked to implementation of key reform initiatives, with an emphasis on those agreed in the National Accord. This means that our support will promote and facilitate reforms. But it also means that continued support is contingent on progress in crucial reforms. Despite commendable progress from 2003 and onwards, major challenges remain in Kenya in a number of areas, foremost democratic governance and equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. The situation that followed the 2007 elections highlighted issues which, though crucial to Kenya's development, have remained unresolved since independence: • ending impunity for criminal actions including corruption and violence• electoral reform• the need for a new constitution that enables power sharing and decentralisation• justice and security sector reforms• addressing the problem in informal settlements in urban areas• addressing reconciliation and ethnic grievances for the Kenyan nation to heal and prosper. Our development cooperation supports reforms, but it also contributes to improved service delivery and creating income and job opportunities for the poor as well as improved management of the natural resources that are so crucial for Kenya’s continued sustainable development. Sweden is concerned about poor people’s rights. All our development cooperation with Kenya therefore promotes non-discrimination, accountability, transparency, participation, rule of law and gender equality.
Swedish support to democratic governance will focus on institutional development and reform in the justice and legal sector, improved public financial management, and a results-oriented public administration. Within natural resources and the environment, our efforts will focus on support for reform measures aimed at securing access to water resources, clean water, increased productivity and the commercialisation of agriculture, and improved environmental management. Moreover, support to land reforms will be extended. For the urban sector, we will support work to improve living conditions and strengthen the right of the urban poor to equal participation in decision-making as well as greater access to affordable housing.