Thousands of cattle herders in five arid and semi-arid Kenyan counties will benefit from a new fund announced by global philanthropies and a local bank on Wednesday, which works to promote access to clean water and sanitation.
The international donors and the foundation arm of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) said a new credit facility will be unveiled to enable pastoralists' access funds to invest in clean water and sanitation facilities.
"Through this strategic partnership, we foresee productive and sustainable commercialized livestock and water sectors in targeted counties," said the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Foundation Executive Director, Jane Mwangi.
Mwangi added that access to safe drinking water and modern sanitation will enhance the resilience of nomadic communities in the face of climatic stresses such as prolonged droughts.
The foundation arm of Kenya's largest bank by assets will spend up to 1 million U.S. dollars to provide commercial loans to livestock keepers to enable them to invest in livelihood projects like water supply and climate resilient production of pasture.
Likewise, the bank and partnering agencies will provide training and modern technologies to pastoralists to hasten transformation of livestock value chains.
"We believe access to capital, skills and innovations will improve economic status for households in the five arid and semi arid counties," said Mwangi, adding that access to basic amenities like water and sanitation will stimulate growth in Kenya's northern frontier district
KCB Foundation signed a partnership with 20 international donors to establish a new credit scheme and training program for livestock herders in the five dry counties.
Executive Director of Millennium Water Alliance, Rafael Callejas said that innovative funding models are key to alleviating water and sanitation crises in the arid and semi arid counties.
"We are looking at innovative business models to change livelihoods in remote counties inhabited by livestock keepers through provision of clean water and sanitation services," Callejas said.