KENYA – In a significant move towards environmental stewardship, East African Breweries PLC (EABL) has pledged KES 190 million (US$1.43m) for the restoration of vital water towers in Kenya.
This commitment comes as the nation marks World Water Day on Friday, March 22.
The announcement of this substantial contribution was made following a meeting between Ms. Debra Crew, CEO of Diageo (EABL’s parent company), and President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, March 19.
President Ruto emphasized the importance of such partnerships in addressing socio-economic challenges while fostering an enabling environment for business, trade, and agriculture to flourish.
The pledged amount, split into two tranches over consecutive days, underscores EABL’s dedication to supporting Kenya’s water conservation strategy, combating climate change, and alleviating water scarcity.
The initiative aligns with national climate objectives and outcomes from the Africa Climate Summit 2023.
As part of the commitment, EABL has allocated KES 60 million (US$0.45m) towards bolstering water conservation efforts in Nairobi, particularly focusing on the protection of the Upper Tana, a critical water source for the city.
This funding will support initiatives led by the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust (UTNWFT), engaging both public and private sectors to ensure sustainable management of water resources.
Speaking at the event, Eric Kiniti, Group Corporate Relations Director of East African Breweries Plc, emphasized the company’s deep sense of responsibility towards the environment, society, and stakeholders.
He highlighted EABL’s substantial investments in water conservation and recovery projects within their production facilities and the areas where their water sources originate.
“At EABL, we have invested heavily in water conservation and recovery projects within our production facilities and in the areas where the water we depend on originates,” said Eric.
“We have invested KES 780 million (US$5.89m) in water recovery plants at our facilities in Nairobi and Kisumu, which together can recover 1968 cubic meters of water daily.”
Julius Korir, Principal Secretary of Sanitation, emphasized the broader impact of investments in water conservation efforts, extending beyond economic growth to address water scarcity affecting millions of Kenyans lacking access to clean water.
Last year, EABL supported the Upper Tana Water Fund with a KES 5 million (US$37,735.85) grant, facilitating tree planting initiatives to mitigate climate change while enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.
This ongoing commitment reflects EABL’s dedication to environmental conservation and sustainability efforts in Kenya.
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