…. describes it as historic recognition
By Jimoh Babatunde
The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has described the Kenya’s highest honour, Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart, CGH, conferred on him by President William Samoei Ruto as historic recognition.
In his acceptance speech, Adesina said: “I am greatly humbled by your incredible kindness! What a great honour! What a rare privilege! What a historic recognition!”
Receiving the award, Adesina said “This is an honour that I will cherish for life. It will be a constant reminder that the country I love so much, Kenya, loves me back, appreciates and celebrates my leadership at the African Development Bank, and values and honours the incredible contributions of the Bank to its development. I accept this honour with great humility.”
Dr Adesina becomes the 20th recipient of the honour that was established in 1967 and first awarded to Kenya’s founding father and former President, H.E. Jomo Kenyatta. Others include globally renowned leaders such as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni and Kenya’s subsequent Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr Ruto.
Adesina spoke about Kenya’s special place in the history of the Bank which was established in 1964. Since then, the Bank has financed a total of 167 projects, with financial commitment of $7.8 billion.
He said the Bank’s current portfolio in Kenya consists of 45 projects worth $4.09 billion, which include the Last-Mile Connectivity electricity project, which has helped to increase the number of Kenyans connected to the national electricity grid from 2.42 million households in 2014 to 9.7 million households in 2024.
The expansion of the Thika-Nairobi Highway, which has drastically reduced travel time from 2-3 hours to just 30-45 minutes between the two destinations.
Adesina disclosed that the Bank is providing $634 million for the Kenya Town’s Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation project that includes 314.92 million Euros for the construction of the Thwake Multipurpose Water Dam, to be completed by July 2026.
He said the project will provide water to about 1.3 million people in Kitui and Makueni counties, as well as the Konza Techno-City in Machakos County.
“The Bank’s support for the private sector in Kenya includes over $700 million in lines of credit to more than eight commercial banks.”
In addition to providing $309 million for eight on-going projects targeting skills development, Adesina said the Bank is preparing for Board approval, financial support for the establishment of a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank of Kenya.
“This will be a stand-alone financial institution, which will be 100 percent dedicated to providing technical assistance, debt and equity financing for youth businesses in Kenya.”
During a colourful investiture ceremony at Nairobi’s State House, President Ruto praised Dr Adesina’s distinguished service, commitment, and passion for the economic development of Kenya and Africa.
President Ruto congratulated Adesina and told him, “You are amazing. You are a great leader. You deserve this honour and investiture.”
The two leaders share a warm relationship that dates back 20 years when Adesina lived and worked in Kenya for the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, AGRA. At that time Ruto was Kenya’s Minister for Agriculture. Both recalled how they worked together to provide subsidies to farmers despite opposition at the time from some donors and global financial institutions.
President Ruto said under his presidency he has continued with the same policy of offering subsidies to farmers, leading to an increase in the country’s food production.
“Our maize production increased from 40 million to 70 million bags last year. Our sales from tea, generated more than 220 billion shillings [approximately $1.7 billion], the highest ever earnings.”
“I am proud of the journey we started together ten years ago; I can see its fruits. Kenyans can feel its benefits,” President Ruto told Adesina who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Grace Yemisi Adesina.
Adesina was also accompanied by Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, Dr Kevin Kariuki; the Vice President for Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery, Nnenna Nwabufo; the Director General for East Africa, Kennedy Mbekeani; the Executive Director for Eastern Africa, Jonathan Nzayikorera; and the Senior Advisor to the President for Communication and Stakeholder Engagement Dr Victor Oladokun.
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