Kenya Launches $20,000 Peace and Environment Global Award

President Kenyatta has announced the creation of a new peace and environment award that seeks to recognize individuals and institutions that champion environmental sustainability and peace.

Dubbed “Amani and Mazingira Global Award”, the accolade was launched as part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Kenyatta said the bi-annual award, which will be sponsored by the Government and the people of Kenya, will come with a $20,000 (Sh2.2 million) cash prize and the first awardee will be announced during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations on June 1st.

The president spoke on Thursday at the UNEP headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi, when he presided over celebrations to mark the 50 anniversary of the global environment body.

Kenyatta applauded UNEP for boldly championing the global environment conservation agenda since its establishment in 1972.

While assuring of Kenya’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Kenyatta said Kenya is proud to be the only UN headquarters in the global South, terming it an honor that the country appreciates and protects.

“Today, I am pleased to report that we will provide land for the development of humanitarian and logistics hubs in three locations in Kenya, namely Naivasha, Nairobi and Mombasa. We have further provided land for the creation of a diplomatic enclave adjacent to the United Nations Office at Nairobi complex,” President Kenyatta said.