The assignment was part of the Local Government reform program and had three components, the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) distributed to 63 qualifying local authorities in Kenya based on the call for proposals; capacity building on financial management information systems, project cycle management and community participation[1]; and support to the Kenya Local Government reform Programme.

The PRF Technical Assistance involved appraising projects evolved by the Local authorities in Kenya, disbursement of the funds and administration based on the EDF finance and contract for small projects. Our role therefore was to review the projects to ensure that they complied with EDF procurement systems and that all the funds used complied with EDF rules. A total of 65 projects in 63 local authorities received grants totaling to a €5 million, of which about 40% of the projects related to water and sanitation. By the end of the three year programme we achieved a completion rate of 94% and an operational rate of 88%. Further we were able to get refunds for all incomplete projects and for the funds spent on none compliant expenditures. The second component on capacity building provided to the Ministry and the selected local authorities as indicated above.

[1] The details on capacity building on this project are included under the section on capacity building.