Finland on Tuesday pledged more than Sh30 billion in grants and development support to Kenya, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas including healthcare, water and sanitation, environment, governance, and gender equality.
The announcement was made following a courtesy meeting on October 28, 2025, between National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, CBS, and Finland’s Under Secretary for Foreign and Security Policy, Outi Holopainen, alongside Finland’s new Ambassador to Kenya, Riina Heikka, held at the National Treasury in Nairobi.
Kiptoo described the renewed partnership as a reflection of Finland’s confidence in Kenya’s development agenda and its alignment with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Finland has committed over Sh30 billion in grants and development support towards key sectors, including water and sanitation, health, environment, governance, and gender equality,” Kiptoo confirmed.
Part of the Finnish support will go towards ongoing programmes under the Water Services Trust Fund, which enhances access to clean water and improved sanitation in rural and peri-urban areas across Kenya.
The fund plays a pivotal role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 on clean water and sanitation, providing critical infrastructure for marginalised communities.
Additionally, Finland has financed the upgrading of Maternal and Newborn Units, with investments valued at over Sh3.4 billion, aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates and improving access to quality healthcare for women and children.
Kiptoo commended Finland for its consistent partnership in Kenya’s health sector, noting that Finnish-funded initiatives have contributed significantly to strengthening maternal and reproductive health systems in line with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.
“This partnership reflects Finland’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s development priorities through equitable, people-centred programmes,” he said.
Their discussions also centred on consolidating ongoing projects under the Public Investment Facility (PIF), a concessional credit financing framework established in 2018 to support sustainable public investment projects.
The PIF has enabled Kenya to access affordable long-term financing for key infrastructure and social programmes, including renewable energy, healthcare, and water systems.
Both sides reaffirmed their intent to strengthen the facility’s impact by aligning it with Kenya’s fiscal and development priorities and by enhancing transparency and accountability mechanisms.
Kiptoo highlighted the importance of concessional credit financing in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in an era of tightening global financial conditions.
“Our discussions focused on consolidating ongoing programmes under the PIF framework and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in health, water, climate resilience, and gender empowerment,” said Kiptoo.
Kiptoo extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Riina Heikka, who recently assumed her role as Finland’s new envoy to Kenya, assuring her of Kenya’s full support in strengthening bilateral cooperation.
He reaffirmed that the Kenya–Finland partnership, which spans over five decades, continues to play a vital role in supporting Kenya’s socioeconomic transformation.
Ambassador Heikka reiterated Finland’s commitment to deepening collaboration, particularly in climate action, public governance, and social inclusion, areas where Finland has been a long-standing development partner.
“Finland remains a trusted ally in Kenya’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable development. Together, we are advancing mutual priorities that promote equity, environmental stewardship, and economic resilience,” Kiptoo said.
The Finnish government’s support for environmental and governance programmes in Kenya reaffirms its emphasis on climate resilience and institutional reform.
Finland has been instrumental in strengthening Kenya’s capacity to adapt to climate change through initiatives that promote water conservation, forest protection, and community-based natural resource management.
The new phase of cooperation is expected to further reinforce Kenya’s climate resilience and gender empowerment agenda, helping communities adapt to the effects of global warming while promoting inclusive governance structures.
The National Treasury and the Government of Finland reiterated their mutual commitment to sustainable and accountable development partnerships, ensuring that every investment contributes to improving livelihoods and building economic resilience.
Kiptoo emphasised that the bilateral cooperation between Kenya and Finland will continue to serve as a model for development diplomacy built on mutual respect, shared priorities, and transparent engagement.
“Kenya appreciates Finland’s unwavering partnership and its focus on sustainable, inclusive development that directly uplifts communities,” he concluded.
