Queen Maxima in Kisumu to inspect UN, Netherlands funded projects

By Peter Ochieng

Queen Maxima of Netherlands is visiting Kisumu in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

The purpose of today's Kisumu visit is to inspect projects funded by the United Nations (UN), and the government of the Netherlands in the Lakeside county.

In a joint press address with the Queen, Kisumu governor Anyang' Nyong'o said her visit is a follow up on his visit to the Netherlands in 2022, where he signed various agreements with the Dutch government.

"The overall objective of the visit is to highlight the financial inclusion gains, innovations, and global leadership of Kenya and support key Kenyan government, private sector, and other decision-makers in accelerating achievement on three key financial inclusion issues," said the county boss.

The issues are advancing progress on digital public infrastructure, inclusive finance for climate adaptation and mitigation as well as enhancing resilience and responsible ecosystem approach to spurring financial health, and digital financial innovation, particularly for the benefit of underserved groups, among them youth, women, small enterprises and smallholder farmers.

Queen Maxima is visiting the Vei Water Works sanitation project in Manyatta and the Hello tractor project in Manyatta.

It is her first ever Kisumu visit. "The project in Manyatta aims to contribute to ensuring sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation for the people of Kisumu County," added Nyong'o.

It is co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and 10 Dutch water companies.

On the Hello tractor project, the county chief said it is an ag-tech and tractor-sharing app that connects tractor owners to farmers through an Internet-of-Things digital solution that bridges the gap between traditional farming and more technologically advanced approaches.

"Kisumu is privileged to have these projects which will help in sanitation and water provision and Climate Smart Agriculture," he added.

In her brief address, the Queen said they are trying as much as possible to assist farmers to manage chokes caused climate change.