PRESS RELEASE

KENYA LAUNCHES GREEN ECONOMY STRATEGY TO ACCELERATE ITS TRANSITION TO AN INCLUSIVE GREEN ECONOMY

27 July, 2017 - The Kenya Government through the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources is set to bring together various stakeholders involved in Green Economy to launch the Green Economy Strategy Implementation Plan (GESIP) and hold the SWITCH Africa Green National Networking Forum in Nairobi under the theme: ‘Accelerating Transition to an Inclusive Green Economy in Kenya.’

The objective of the event will be to:

- Launch the Kenya Green Economy (GE) Strategy; - Enhance capacity and awareness among stakeholders for acceleration of adoption and

implementation of inclusive GE strategies and initiatives; and - Share experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of Green Economy initiatives.

Green Economy investment is one of the ways through which Kenya can achieve economic growth that is sustainable, inclusive, and transformative.

GESIP is Kenya’s blueprint in advancing towards a low-carbon, resource efficient, equitable and inclusive socio-economic transformation. This builds upon Kenya’s commitment to a Low-Carbon Development Pathway and represents an advancement of this commitment to integrate resource use efficiency and minimizing environmental impacts into Kenya’s economic development. Of significance, Kenya has developed this strategy at a time when Kenya’s economic development and social well being of its citizens is under growing threats from climate change, environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources. “The launch of the Green Economy Strategy is most significant because it marks a new dispensation in socio-economic planning for Kenya,” says Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources.

The event will provide a platform for policy-makers, partners and stakeholders to identify concrete opportunities for accelerating Kenya’s transition to an inclusive Green Economy. “Kenya’s journey toward a truly inclusive green economy continues and many challenges remain. The interest and commitment of the Government, private sector, and civil society to support a sustainable and inclusive future is crucial. It is our responsibility as individuals and stakeholders to continue to put sustainability and equity at the heart of our economic decision making,” says H.E. Mette Knudsen, Danish Ambassador to Kenya. SWITCH Africa Green is one of the major initiatives implementing the actions envisioned in this strategy seeking to support Kenya in achieving sustainable development by engaging in the transition towards an inclusive green economy, which generates growth, creates jobs and reduces poverty. Supported by the European Union, SWITCH Africa Green works with four grantees in the private sector positively impacting about 500 MSMEs a majority of whom are youth and women. In Kenya, SWITCH Africa Green focuses on Agriculture, Manufacturing and Tourism as priority sectors.

The SAG Networking Forum provides a critical platform for distilling knowledge from the SAG project implementation for wider replication and facilitate policy uptake. Further, through its social platform it affords an avenue to facilitate sharing of best practices and project related knowledge on eco-entrepreneurship, SCP and GE policies and tools amongst key stakeholders “SWITCH Africa Green has demonstrated that it is possible for micro, small, and medium enterprises to green their businesses through the application of sustainable consumption and production practices. We look forward to continue supporting the Government of Kenya in its transition to an inclusive green economy,” says Dirk Wagener, UN Environment. There shall be an exhibition from various MSMEs and entrepreneurs drawn from both the private and public sectors on various green technologies.

WWF-Kenya’s CEO Mohamed Awer Iauded the Kenyan Government for taking an initial step in redefining the country’s development trajectory saying, “GESIP will be instrumental in informing decisions in making choices towards a low carbon development ambition in Kenya.”

The event shall take place at the Kenya Forest Service Headquarters at Karura where the CS Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water and Natural Resources shall deliver the keynote address. Dignitaries from various development agencies and members of the diplomatic corps also also scheduled to attend the event.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Njeru Ngare, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

Dr. Charles Mutai, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

at:

psoffice@environment.go.ke

Tel: +254 202730808/ 20 2725707