On the eve of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Kenyan government and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) have formally endorsed a second threshold program agreement valued at Sh8.7 billion. This initiative aims to enhance urban connectivity and facilitate the shift towards e-mobility.
“Mobility in Nairobi is very important to us. The city has 5 million people during the day and 4 million at night, so this means there are 1 million people who come every day, posing a very significant challenge to the infrastructure. The bus transport system is a very important component,” said Ruto.
“Today’s signing ceremony marks an exciting milestone in the growing partnership between Kenya and the United States.”
The funding is intended to facilitate the introduction of climate-friendly buses for the upcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, which is set to alleviate traffic congestion in Nairobi.
MCC Chief Executive Officer Alice Bright termed the grant as one of the “largest and most ambitious threshold programs” that the firm has ever offered with any partner country.
“It reflects MCC’s confidence in Kenya to address its own challenges to economic growth and is yet one more symbol of the longstanding relationship between our two countries,” she said.
MCC is an autonomous agency within the U.S. government that aims to diminish global poverty through fostering economic growth. It achieves this by offering time-limited grants and aid to countries that uphold standards of good governance.
While on his tour in the U.S., the president engaged with various international leaders on the sidelines of the event, all of whom reiterated their dedication to Kenya.
During his meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ruto noted that the Ukrainian government has affirmed its commitment to establishing a grain hub as a measure to combat food insecurity in Kenya and the broader East African region.
“In New York, United States held talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who committed to establishing a grain hub in the Port of Mombasa to address food shortage in East Africa,” Ruto stated on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.
President Ruto further reiterated Kenya’s support for a peaceful resolution to the Russian-Ukraine conflict.
“Kenya advocates for a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict to restore stability, alleviate the suffering of the people, and stop the destruction of property.”
He remarked that conflict resolution among the warring nations is a priority to all in the world as a sense of humanity.
President Ruto also held talks with various international leaders, including President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Zuzana Caputova (Slovakia), Gambia Vice President Muhammad Jallow, Denmark and Sweden Prime Ministers Mette Frederiksen and Ulf Kristersson, respectively.
