Kenya is targeting a USD 350 million (Sh45.15 billion) investment over the next decade to restore ecosystems and improve livelihoods in the Lake Victoria Basin through a new regional programme.
The initiative, formally known as the Multi-sectoral, Multiphase Programme for Ecosystem Stabilization and Socio-economic Development of the Lake Victoria Basin (rMPA), was endorsed during a Principal Secretaries’ Strategic Breakfast Meeting held in Nairobi.
Environment Principal Secretary Festus Ng’eno described the rMPA as “Kenya’s next flagship intervention in the region,” aimed at shifting from fragmented, short-term projects to a long-term, coordinated programmatic investment approach.
Speaking at the meeting, Ng’eno noted that the rMPA will directly support county priorities across the basin, including watershed restoration, sanitation services, sustainable agriculture, fisheries development, and the creation of green and blue jobs.
“This initiative marks a defining moment for the Basin. Through strong accountability, enhanced inter-ministerial coordination, and seamless collaboration between national and county governments, we can restore ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and unlock sustainable economic growth for present and future generations,” he said.
The programme follows the earlier Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP I and II), which laid the foundation for transboundary environmental management before closing in 2017.
Gitonga Mugambi, Principal Secretary for Forestry, emphasized that strong inter-ministerial coordination, accountability, and collaboration between the national and county governments will be critical for the programme’s success.
“The programme should remain firmly focused on delivering tangible benefits to the people of Kenya and improving their livelihoods,” he said.
The rMPA is being developed within a regional framework coordinated by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission and supported by the World Bank.
Ng’eno revealed that the National Treasury has earmarked approximately USD 100 million (Sh12.9 billion) in the FY 2027/28 resource envelope to support the programme’s initial phase, signaling strong national ownership.
The initiative will also leverage complementary investments from county governments and international partners, underscoring Kenya’s commitment to long-term, sustainable environmental and socio-economic transformation.
With its focus on climate resilience, improved water quality, sustainable fisheries, agriculture, and green job creation, the rMPA is positioned as a transformative intervention for the Lake Victoria Basin.
Ng’eno added that the programme will address mounting pressures from pollution, ecosystem degradation, rapid urbanization, and climate variability, ensuring that the region’s environmental and economic future is secured for generations to come.
