Kenya
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As regional hub for trade and finance, Kenya plays an important role in East African regional development. However governance, uneven commitment to reform and a complex political situation have hampered economic growth and equitable social development. The proportion of Kenyans living below the poverty line of 1 dollar a day is still very high at 46%. Social disparities are vast and reflect differences in economic development opportunities compounded by inequality in access to social services. Poverty reduction can only be achieved by long-term sustained economic growth which addresses equitable income and wealth distribution, improved access to social services, human rights, political participation. Success will depend on seriously taking in hand the issues that are underlying the social undercurrents that have surfaced following the December 2007 elections and which greatly harm the continued existence of a peaceful democratic society.
Aid programmes
Kenya’s development strategy is built on four pillars aiming to strengthen economic growth, to develop physical infrastructure, to improve governance and to invest in human capital. The EC response to the economic development and poverty reduction challenges in Kenya is designed to assist in sectors considered key for the future development of the country. The EC’s co-operation strategy with Kenya under the 10th EDF, presented in the Country Strategy Paper for Kenya (2008-2013) 
, focuses on regional economic integration by means of transport infrastructure as well as agriculture and rural development to enhance the ability of poor rural households to raise their incomes. This will be complemented by general budget support and sector budget support for specific policies and strategies in individual sectors. This allows the government to improve budget allocations on the basis of poverty eradication priorities, in particular investing in human capital of the poor. Additional support will enhance capacity building for public policy institutions, improving governance and strengthening non-state actors as well as creating a favourable climate to support private sector development and export-led growth.
The multi-annual indicative programme for Kenya under the 10th EDF amounts to €399.4 million to address these priorities.
EC interventions in Kenya also take account of cross-cutting issues, in particular democracy, good governance and human rights; gender equality and equity; environmental sustainability; the fight against HIV/AIDS; and conflict management and peace-building.
Recent assistance
The Country Strategy Paper for Kenya (2002-2007) under the 9th EDF focussed co-operation activities on the sectors agriculture and rural development as well as roads and transport.
The EC funded Community Development Programme as well as the Rural Poverty Reduction and Local Government Support programme supported sectors including education, water and sanitation, health, economic infrastructure and integrated programmes targeting the poorest and most vulnerable communities in Kenya.
In line with the government’s focus on drought prevention and preparedness, the EC is continuing to support efforts to implement a National Drought Contingency Fund of €17.6m to address chronic food insecurity.
In addition EC cooperation contributes to strengthening the economic sector through assistance to micro- and small enterprises and will promote active participation of Civil Society and economic partners on governance issues through the NSA-NET programme.
For further details on projects and programmes in Kenya funded from the European Development Fund (EDF) and the general budget of the EU, please visit the project's section of the website of the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.
Other sources of information
The Directorate-General for Development is responsible for drawing up the co-operation strategy with Kenya.
More information on EU relations with Kenya is available on the pages of the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.
Information on trade relations in the ACP region can be found on the website of the Directorate-General for Trade.