Egypt, Kenya prepare a long-term plan to construct dams, dig underground wells

CAIRO – 4 September 2023: Egyptian and Kenyan Ministries of Water and Irrigation will prepare a memorandum of understanding to develop the water sector in both countries, the Egyptian Cabinet announced in a statement on Monday.

The long-term plan of cooperation includes constructing 10 dams to collect rainwater, digging 10 groundwater wells, and establishing a pilot area for modern irrigation on an area of 100 acres. As per the new plan, Egypt will provide a training program to Kenyan cadres in the field of water resources and irrigation, the statement added.

Egyptian Minister of Irrigation, Hani Sweilem, expressed that his country is looking forward to strengthening the bonds of cooperation and integration between the two countries in the field of water resources and adaptation to climate change.

Sweilem added that the Egyptian National Water Research Center is ready to cooperate in the field of research with the Kenyan side, especially in light of the presence of 12 research institutes affiliated with the center, and specialists in various fields concerned with water research.

The Minister noted Egypt's readiness to provide support to the Kenyan side in the field of capacity building through training courses provided by the African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation, and through the Water Resources Diploma at the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University.

The Kenyan Minister of Water and Sanitation, Alice Muthoni Wahome, stressed the strength of the cooperation and friendship relations between Egypt and Kenya, and the keenness to permanently strengthen this cooperation.

On June 23, 2023, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, on the sidelines of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact, in the French capital, Paris.

Spokesperson for the Presidency, Ahmad Fahmy, said the President expressed pleasure at meeting with Kenyan President Ruto, once again, after their recent encounter in Lusaka on the sidelines of the 22nd Summit of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).

President El-Sisi underscored appreciation for the close relations, joint cooperation and common vision the two countries share, in addition to Egypt’s commitment to strengthening relations and solidifying the strategic cooperation with Kenya in an array of fields.