Bilateral development aid - 2024
Kenya has been one of the main African beneficiaries of Polish bilateral development assistance since 2004. In 2024, Polish NGOs carried out 4 projects in this country, 1 project was implemented by a government administration body, and 4 initiatives were carried out by the Polish Embassy in Nairobi.
Supporting emergency response services and public safety
One of the key areas was health care and developing the capabilities of Kenya’s emergency response services. Poland has cooperated in this field for over a decade, training and equipping fire service and emergency response services.
In 2024, the Kiambu Fire and Rescue Training Centre was established, the first facility of that type in Kenya and the entire Horn of Africa. Its mission is to provide high‑quality vocational education and certification to firefighters from across the country. So far, Polish instructors have trained more than 60% of Kenya’s firefighters.
The training covered rescue operations, first aid, water and rope rescue, organisation of response actions in the event of road accidents, handling hazardous materials, as well as courses for future training staff. The Centre was provided with modern rescue and professional personal protective equipment. Training activities and equipment support also continued for the Building Collapse Search and Rescue Team in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.
Ensuring equal professional opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship
As part of Polish Aid, an initiative was also carried out for survivors of human trafficking, aimed at ensuring their equal professional opportunities and strengthening their economic independence. The majority of project participants were women (53 out of 60 participants). The programme included training sessions to develop skills needed to run businesses: from the basics of entrepreneurship and knowledge of Kenyan labour law to marketing, finance, and the principles of sustainable water resource management.
Participants developed strategies for growing and strengthening the businesses they managed. Grants were awarded for the implementation of 50 prepared business plans, enabling the beneficiaries to expand their enterprises and improve their financial standing.
