STATE DEPARTMENT FOR ASALS AND U.S (OFA) STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA’S ASAL REGIONS.

The State Department for ASALs and Regional Development, through the Directorate for ASALs Development, held a productive portfolio review meeting with the United States Government Office for Foreign Assistance (OFA) team led by Assistant Officer Coordinator Maria Barron. The meeting, chaired by Acting Secretary ASALs Lore Ambrose, brought together government officials and development partners committed to advancing sustainable development across Kenya’s ASALs regions.
The engagement provided a key platform to review the progress of ongoing collaborative programmes, assess the impact of previous interventions, and explore new opportunities for strengthening partnerships aimed at building resilience and improving livelihoods in ASALs counties.
Discussions centered on critical development priorities including climate resilience, food security, water access, sustainable livelihoods, natural resource management, peacebuilding, and community empowerment. Participants acknowledged the significant progress achieved through existing programmes, particularly in supporting communities affected by recurrent drought, climate change, and other socio-economic challenges.
Speaking during the meeting, Acting Secretary Lore Ambrose highlighted the importance of strong partnerships in accelerating development efforts within ASALs regions. He noted that collaboration between the Government of Kenya and the U.S. Government continues to play a vital role in enhancing resilience and expanding opportunities for vulnerable communities.
The meeting also explored opportunities for scaling up ongoing initiatives and deepening cooperation in areas aligned with Kenya’s national development agenda. Special attention was given to strengthening community-led resilience programmes, empowering women and youth, and promoting sustainable development approaches that deliver long-term impact.
The State Department reaffirmed its appreciation for the continued support and partnership of the U.S. Government in advancing transformative development initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening resilience among communities in Kenya’s ASALs regions.