ci Spe al Ann iver sary Edition Issue: February 2014 Mr. Hiroshi Kato (second right), holds discussions with H.E. Ruto as JICA’s Chief Representative, Mr. Hideo Eguchi and Senior Programme Officer, Economy and Private Sector Development, Ms. Anne Olubendi look on. (Photo Courtesy DPPS) JICA’s Vice President Visits Kenya he JICA Kenya Office recently had the ‘JICA’s 50th Master Plan on Special Economic Zones pleasure of hosting Mr. Hiroshi Kato, Anniversary (SEZ), support for geothermal development, TVice President of JICA in charge of Africa. was therefore a Universal Health Coverage, Human During his stay in the country, he visited some Resource Development and Agriculture. projects supported by JICA – the Kenya Forestry time to reflect Research Institute (KEFRI), that has had over 25 on the activities The JICA Vice President also met Hon. years of cooperation with JICA, and the Okaria of JICA in the Anne Waiguru, the Cabinet Secretary, Geothermal Power Project. past, what has Ministry of Planning and Devolution. Hon. been achieved Waiguru noted the good relations between Mr. Kato also met and had discussions with Kenya and Japan and the marvelous Kenya’s Deputy President, H.E. William Ruto. so far and achievements through signature projects Mr. Kato highlighted the 50th Anniversary of what Japan/ such as the JKUAT, KEMRI and KEFRI. Kenya/Japan relations which also coincided with Kenya need Mr. Kato observed that through these Kenya’s 50th Anniversary since independence. to do together centres of excellence, Kenya was now He noted that this was therefore a time to reflect to make extending its cooperation to other African on the activities of JICA in the past, what has been improvements.‘ countries, thereby promoting South-South achieved so far and what Japan/Kenya need to do cooperation. together to make improvements. Mr. Kato explained to Hon. Waiguru The two discussed issues of mutual cooperation about the ABE Initiative, noting that it would between Japan and Kenya, including the TICAD V benefit 1000 young African entrepreneurs through Conference held in Yokohama, Japan in June 2013. H.E. professional training in Japan. He further noted that Ruto had led the Kenyan delegation to the TICAD V the Planning & Devolution Ministry was serving as the Conference, and he looked forward to implementation focal ministry for this Initiative. The Cabinet Secretary of issues that had been discussed then with the JICA assured him of her Ministry’s support to the Initiative President. The conference has been held every 5 years noting they would work with the relevant government since 1993. ministries to make it a success. Also discussed were other ongoing projects supported He promised continued cooperation with Kenya by JICA, such as the Mwea Irrigation Project, Water projects and the African continent as agreed during the TICAD in Turkana, the Mombasa Port Development Project, the V Conference. JICA Marks 50th Anniversary Wakhungu, the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Water, Environment and Natural Resources, who was the Chief Guest. Prof. Wakhungu commended JICA for its long history of cooperation with Kenya, and particularly in the field of environment, citing various long- standing and successful projects. Mr. Hiroshi Kato, the Vice President in charge of the Sub- Saharan Africa Department at JICA Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, was the main speaker. He congratulated Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Judi Wakhungu delivers JICA’s Chief Representative, Mr. Hideo Eguchi Kenya on marking 50 years since her remarks. addresses the guests. attaining independence in 1963, which also coincided with the start of Japan’s support to Kenya. He shared some highlights from Japan’s 50 years of fruitful collaboration with Kenya, pointed out some of the unique features of Japan’s assistance, and outlined JICA’s plans for the future. He noted that JICA’s support in Kenya started in a very modest way in 1963, by inviting only 2 Kenyan participants for training in Japan. Then in 1966, the first group of 3 Japanese volunteers came to Kenya. The JICA office in Nairobi opened in 1969. Mr. Kato lauded JICA’s long- standing partnerships, noting that they had led to greater development. Mr. Kato, JICA’s Vice President (right) and JICA’s Chief Representative, Mr. Hideo Eguchi (left) with “The tireless efforts of the Kenyan beneficiaries of In-country Training, Ms. Sabina Munguti and Ms. Anastasia Wanjiru who have made people, and support from dedicated a remarkable contribution to their communities. Japanese people, have supported the country to take great strides forward. Today we see Kenya as an important n 1st November 2013, the JICA ‘The tireless and reliable partner with whom we Kenya Office hosted a luncheon efforts of the can jointly extend cooperation across Oto mark the 50th anniversary of the African continent by spreading its development cooperation with Kenya. Kenyan people, the knowledge and expertise we The luncheon was attended by a myriad and support have accumulated together.” of people from both public and private from dedicated sectors – government ministries, parastatals, Among the key sectors he academia, international organizations, Japanese highlighted were forestry preservation donor agencies, UN bodies, NGOs and people, have and capacity development in the private companies. This was a fitting supported the agriculture and technology sector, reflection of JICA’s work, which touches the through its long-term engagement lives of people from all walks of life. country to take with the Jomo Kenyatta University of great strides Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). JICA was honored to host Prof. Judi forward.’ Japan supported the construction 2 JICA Marks 50th Anniversary of the institution in 1979 and the fruitful collaboration continues to date. This includes the In-Country training program that has benefited 2800 women since its inception in Former president Hon. Kibaki and Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Tatsushi Terada unveil 1994. the commemorative plaque marking the occasion. Other projects are the Small- Nairobi Western Ring Roads Project - holder Horticulture Empower- ment and Promotion Unit (SHEP “Cotton Road” is Commissioned UP) Project in Agriculture, the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science Education (SMASE) Project ndless traffic jams have in Education, construction of the become the norm in Nairobi, Nyali Bridge and the Moi Interna- Enot only impacting negatively tional Airport in Mombasa and the on people’s health and productivity Sondu Miriu Hydro Power project in school or work, but also putting a in Energy. heavy toll on the economy. UN-Habitat estimates that the city, with more than He also mentioned the 3 million residents, loses about Kes. 50 expansion of the Mombasa Port million a day due to traffic congestion. which is currently underway, Hon. Kibaki and H.E. Tatsushi Terada cut the construction of the Nairobi Western In 2006, JICA assisted in the tape to officially commission the roads. Ring Roads, and in the energy formulation of the ‘Master Plan project, Mr. Watanuki passed away in sector the expansion of the existing for Urban Transport in the Nairobi an accident. ‘Wata’ means Cotton in Olkaria I Geothermal Power Plant, Metropolitan Area.’ It identified some Japanese. The road was therefore aptly which will help to electrify more priority development projects, one of named “Cotton Road” in his honor, to of the country and to do it in an which was the construction of Nairobi memorialize his contribution to the environmentally friendly way. Western Ring Roads. JICA implemented project. “Being a volcanic country, Japan is this grant aid project in collaboration proud to have advanced technology with the Ministry of Roads and the Hon. Kibaki noted that the Western in geothermal energy production, Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). Ring Roads and similar infrastructure and we hope this technology will be The project sought to improve projects would transform Kenya into useful in supporting Kenya’s energy accessibility in the city, reduce traffic a global competitor with world-class portfolio,” he observed. infrastructure. This would drive the accidents and save time for non- Kenyan economy to greater heights On JICA’s future plans, Mr. Kato motorized transport users. The 8.4km and attract more investors. noted, “Across the continent and project, implemented from 2011-2013, connects several roads in the western over the next five years, JICA’s human He decried the spate of road part of the city. This has diversified traffic resource development plan in Africa accidents and urged Kenyans to flow away from the main highways includes improving the learning shun reckless driving. One safety and reduced congestion in the Central environment for 20 million African feature of the Western Ring Roads is Business District. children through mathematics that a dedicated lane for cyclists and and science education and others; The project was officially pedestrians is provided throughout the increasing agricultural production, commissioned by Hon. Mwai Kibaki, length of the roads. This will make it especially for rice cultivation; and former President of Kenya, on behalf safer for these often ignored road users promoting a ‘farming as business’ of H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta. This and drastically reduce accidents. approach for 50,000 small farmers.” was part of the Kenya@50 Celebrations Handing over the project, the “JICA is committed to helping launched to mark the Golden Jubilee of Japanese Ambassador to Kenya, the Kenyan government and its Kenya’s independence. H.E. Tatsushi Terada noted that people to achieve these worthy In appreciation of 50 years’ Japan recognizes infrastructure as an objectives. We would like to see cooperation with Japan, the Nairobi important pillar for economic and Kenya play a growing role to extend County gave JICA the opportunity regional development. He added support to other African countries to name the new road. During that Japanese companies emphasize with its accumulated expertise,” he implementation of the project, the on commitment to quality in all their concluded.