EABL has committed to donate Ksh 190 million towards the restoration of water towers in Kenya, in an initiative dubbed Conservation at Scale. The funds are meant to help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce carbon emissions, and reduce water scarcity in the country.
The company made the announcement led by Diageo (EABL’s parent company) CEO Ms. Debra Crew at State House, Nairobi. The investment is aimed at buttressing Kenya’s environmental ecosystems, which are facing constant threats from ongoing degradation, impacting ecological balance and community livelihoods.
The Conservation at Scale initiative is being spearheaded by the Office of the President, through the Office of the Climate Envoy. This is with a view to offer high-level critical direction and ensure alignment with national climate objectives and the outcomes of the Africa Climate Summit 2023.
EABL’s commitment will also aid to scale up water conservation and protection of Nairobi’s key water source, the Upper Tana. This is through the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust (UTNWFT). The funds will be used to fund UTNWFT’s initiatives in the water towers and other areas in the Upper Tana, which involves the public and private sectors.
Commenting on the company’s commitment, EABL Group Corporate Relations Director Eric Kiniti stated, “At EABL, we have invested heavily in water conservation and recovery projects within our production facilities and in the areas where the water we depend on originates. We have invested Kshs 780 million in water recovery plants at our facilities in Nairobi and Kisumu, which together have the capacity to recover 1,968 cubic meters of water daily.”
Last year, KBL supported the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund with a Ksh 5 million grant that went towards supporting farmers to plant more high-value fruit trees. The project was aimed at curbing climate change while also providing food and additional income for the farmers.