Karibu/Welcome! The first loan by the World Bank to Kenya was in 1960 for an agriculture project. Since then there have been close to one hundred credits and grants by the International Development Association (IDA) with a total net commitment of about US$ 4.5 billion. As of April 2009, the World Bank’s portfolio in Kenya consists of 17 active operations (including a grant from the Global Environment Facility), with total commitments of over US$1.3 billion. The largest share of commitments is in transport (US$463 million), followed by agriculture and rural development (US$ 278.6 million).  Other project sectors include energy, water, education, health, private sector development, public sector governance, and economic policy.  In addition, the Bank is financing three projects with a regional focus (covering more than three countries) with a total commitment of US$260 million for Kenya focusing on transport and telecommunications infrastructure.

Projects and Programs

As of April 2009, the World Bank’s portfolio in Kenya consists of 17 active operations (including a grant from the Global Environment Facility), with total commitments of over US$1.3 billion. The largest share of commitments is in transport (US$460 million), followed by agriculture (US$ 278.6 million.  Other project  sectors include energy, water, education, health, private sector development, public sector governance, and economic policy.   In addition, the Bank is financing three regional projects with a total commitment of US$260 million for Kenya, including the Telecommunications Infrastructure Project (US$114.4 million), the East Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (US$120.6 million) and the Regional Trade Facilitation Project (US$25 million).

In fiscal 2009 (June to July), the Bank’s Executive Board of Directors  approved three projects, the Northern Corridor Transport Improvement Project additional financing, Energy Sector Recovery Project additional financing, and the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Project.  Due to the post-election violence in late 2007, the Bank only approved one project in fiscal 2008, the Water and Sanitation Service Improvement Project (US$150 million). During fiscal 2007, the Board approved the following projects:

• The Development of the National Statistical System Project (US$20.5 million)
• The Education Sector Support Program (US$80 million)
• The Total War Against HIV/AIDS Project (US$80 million)
• The Western Kenya Community Driven and Flood Mitigation Project (US$86 million)
• The National Resource Management Project (US$68.5 million)

For more information on World Bank support in Kenya, visit the Country Brief.