President William Ruto's Cabinet has given the green light for the establishment of a sub-regional office of the philanthropic organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in Nairobi.
The decision was reached during a meeting held at State House, Nairobi, with the aim of attracting investors and promoting collaboration in healthcare, agricultural transformation, and economic growth.
The presence of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's sub-regional office in Kenya is expected to have numerous benefits, particularly in healthcare, agriculture, and economic development. By collaborating with the Foundation, the country aims to attract increased investments while receiving support in crucial sectors.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua previously discussed the establishment of the sub-regional office during a meeting with Samburu Wa-Shiko, the regional representative of the Foundation, on February 14. This laid the foundation for further discussions and progress in bringing the office to Kenya.
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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, led by its co-chairs Bill and Melinda Gates, has committed to spending a staggering Sh877 billion over the next four years to support African countries. In Kenya, the Foundation has already been actively involved in various areas, including primary healthcare, gender equality, and agriculture, among others.
The Foundation's expertise and objectives align with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In the field of agriculture, the Foundation invests in technology, tools, and market infrastructure to empower small-scale farmers, improve their productivity, and enhance their incomes.
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According to the American billionaire, this new commitment to support African countries is in addition to existing Gates Foundation funding to multilateral organisations, including Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria