Kenya’s 2017 general election is critical to the country’s future growth and stability. Citizens will not only cast their votes for national positions, they will also elect county government officials such as governors and county assembly members for the second time since the introduction of devolution in 2013.
Kenya hosts approximately 442,000 registered refugees, mainly from Somalia and South Sudan, in the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Since the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan in mid-December 2013, more than 98,500 additional South Sudanese refugees have entered the country. Joint United Nations, donor and Government of Kenya assessment missions report that most of these refugees depend on international assistance for survival.
USAID recognizes the critical role of development in addressing social, economic, governance and other factors that can drive violent extremism or radicalize individuals and communities. Countering violent extremism (CVE) is central to achieving USAID’s mission to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing our shared security and prosperity. We coordinate closely with the State Department and other U.S. Government entities on this issue.
Today in Isiolo County, the Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Karen Freeman, joined representatives of the Government of Kenya and of Isiolo County to launch a new livestock market and water system. The livestock market will benefit more than 18,000 pastoralists, including young people. USAID has built 12 markets in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties as part of a 350 million dollar effort to mitigate the impact of the current drought and increase community resilience.
The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) partners with local communities to build peace and improve livelihoods through conservation. Formed in 2004 by the Lewa Conservancy with support from USAID, NRT brings together local pastoralist communities with land owners and the Government of Kenya to promote the long-term conservation of wildlife in Kenya’s northern rangelands. At present, NRT oversees 33 community-owned and managed conservancies covering nearly 44,000 square kilometers.
Comment
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.