United Nations has agreed to support Kenya with Sh102 billion ($1.2 billion) for the development of specific areas of its economy over a period of four years.

The support package will be spearheaded by the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which would utilise different strategies through its agencies to help reduce cost while boosting efficiency and capacity development in key sectors of Kenya’s economy.

“This new approach is intended to ensure that the support by the U.N. agencies is indeed aligned to our aspirations and development priorities as a country,” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

The UN funds will target quality education, social protection, food, hygiene, sanitation and HIV/AIDS. It will also be directed towards combating poverty, creating conducive business environment and providing jobs for youths through capacity and skill development at both national and county levels.

“With additional resources being channelled to strengthen key institutions, leadership and human resource capacity and effective accountability systems, at both the national and county levels, we will be on our way to winning the battle of extreme poverty and inequality,” Mr Kenyatta asserted.

The partnership between UN and Kenya is designed to support the country’s Vision 2030 which is aimed at transforming Kenya into an industrialized middle-income nation, providing a high quality of life and a secure and clean environment for its people.