South Korea pledges more aid to Kenya

South Korea has pledged to support Kenya fulfill her Vision 2030 goals through a number of development projects funded by the country’s aid agency, Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

‘‘KOICA Kenya focuses its assistance on a number of development programmes, which include water, education, infrastructure and basic human needs,’’ says KOICA’s new resident representative Mr Eunsub Kim.

In a statement to the Standard, yesterday, KIM said KOICA plans to increase its Overseas Development Aid to Kenya through investment in more socio-economic development programmes.

‘‘We have a great vision that will hopefully see KOICA expand its amount of ODA to Kenya and have more projects and programmes allocated to Kenya. This might also see KOICA Kenya office being upgraded to a regional office,’’ explained Kim.

He said Korea, as a developed nation, seeks to share her best practices, which saw it grow from one of the poorest societies to one of the most economically advanced countries.

‘‘The know-how and experience Korea gained from this transition are invaluable assets that KOICA uses to efficiently support sustainable socio-economic development of its partner countries and offer hope for a better world,’’ he added in the statement.

He said KOICA’s overall objective in Kenya is to help enhance and build individual and national capacities to overcome poverty and improve the quality of live.

KOICA started its operations in Kenya in 1991 and has since facilitated the training of hundreds of Kenyans in specialized areas in Korea institutions of higher learning.

‘‘From 1991 to 2014, KOICA has offered short-term and long-term fellowship programmes to 665 Kenya government officials among others.’’

He added that through Korean NGOs, KOICA conducts an exchange programme that has helped in capacity building in various ministries and other government related agencies.

‘‘Through World Friends Korea Advisors program, experts in different fields are dispatched to Kenya upon request by the government of Kenya who are then stationed at Ministry offices or allied government agencies for at least 6 months to 1 year, which is renewable to a maximum of 3 years upon request,’’ noted Kim.

‘‘Currently, two experts have been seconded to the Office of the Deputy President and at the Kenya Airports Authority. The advisor at the Office of the Deputy President will advise on Industrial Policy, Special Economic Zones and Rural Development, while the one at the Kenya Airports Authority will advise on Airport Management.’’