The UK has announced a Sh500 million donation for reforestation.
This is a follow up on the partnership between PM Sunak and President Willim Ruto launched at CoP27.
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Kenya and the UK governments are working together to to bring reality to net zero emissions targets by 2050.
He spoke at the climate reception at the British High Commission on Wednesday.
Cleverly said the two governments are working with companies, innovators and civil society groups in pushing the agenda.
“The UK government is incredibly honoured to work with Kenya as apart of climate partnership… These investment programmes are flagship programmes as part of UK-Kenyan strategic partnership that works for both Kenyans and Brits,” he said.
Additionally, Cleverly said they have committed to Sh2 billion of UK funding to bank guarantees that will lower risks for investors and encourage their investments.
“In doing so, we will be unlocking Sh12 billion of climate finance for Kenya projects over the next three years,” Cleverly said in his address.
He also recognised Kenyan climate innovators, saying they have once again caught the attention of the world.
He was referring to Earthshot Prize winner Charlot Magayi and the shortlisted finalists.
Kenya's Magayi, who is the founder of Mukuru clean cooking stove, was awarded $1.2 million (Sh147,360,000) Earthshot Prize by Prince William.
The award was for her innovation of Mukuru Clean Stoves, which aim at easier access for clean cooking to women in the country
“It is a pleasure to have a winner of the Earthshot Prize with us this evening. And the electric motor bikes you are producing is fantastic to see use of tech to transform lives in Kenya,” Cleverly said.
First lady Racheal Ruto, who was the guest of honour at the climate reception, said girls and women are carry the biggest burden.
“Women and children are typically responsible for household chores such as cooking, collecting firewood and consequently bear the highest burden from the use of polluting fuels," she said.
"In Kenya, the use of inefficient cooking stoves, which emit huge levels of pollutants lead to chronic illnesses and about 23,000 deaths annually.”
Environment CS Soipan Tuya said the government is focused on restoring Kenya’s rangelands and forests.
She said they are looking forward to creating a green army of young people who will help shift from planting trees to growing them.
“Our target is 15 billion trees in the next 10 years. The figure sounds mind-boggling but it can be done and we are going to do it. When you break it down, it translates to only 300 trees per Kenyan in 10 years,” Tuya said.
The CS said Kenya will on December 21 launch the tree growing campaign.
The Foreign Secretary earlier in the day broke ground on the construction of the renovated Nairobi Railway city , designed by British architects with the latest green technology.
He also held bilateral talks with President William Ruto at State House Nairobi.
“The UK is our key trading partner. We remain strong partners and commit to being in the frontline in the conservation of the environment,” Ruto said.
