Israel pledges to support water projects
Published on 05/09/2009
By PPS
President Kibaki has welcomed the signing of an agreement on water and irrigation management between Kenya and Israel.
Speaking at his Harambee House office where he met visiting Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman yesterday, Kibaki noted the agreement would provide an opportunity for Kenyans to access technical expertise in irrigation and rain water harvesting.
"The technical support in irrigation and rain water harvesting will go a long way towards ensuring that we have sufficient water for all our needs and boost our agricultural production," he said.
He said the Government is focusing on irrigation as a long-term solution to reliance on rain-fed agriculture. He also thanked the Israeli government for agreeing to construct and equip an emergency wing at Kisumu Provincial General Hospital.
He said the two countries would work together to diversify sources of energy to step up the country’s power generation.
He also pledged Israel would continue providing training to locals in agriculture, security and water technology.
Present during the meeting were Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, Defence Minister Yusuf Hajji, Special Programmes Assistant Minister Mohamed Muhamud Ali and Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura.
Lieberman added the Israeli government would revive the stalled Kibwezi water project.
Wetangula said the deal was a milestone, as it would help boost Government efforts. "The Kibwezi water project will be revived at a cost estimated at hundreds of millions. The actual amount to be spent will be worked out depending on the feasibility study," said Wetangula.