JAPAN is now leading in development assistance to Kenya, with over $2,2-billion so far disbursed, the country’s ambassador, Morihisa Aoki, said on Tuesday. In terms of bilateral funding, Japan has overtaken the United Kingdom, Kenya’s former colonial power. Aoki said the funds Japan has extended to Kenya are the highest given to any sub-Sahara African country. “Japan has extended credit facilities amounting to over $2,2-billion and grants worth over $0,5-billion since independence in Kenya,” a press release from the Japanese mission in Nairobi quoted him as saying during an exchange of notes at the ministry of finance where he announced that Japan will grant about $36,6-million for ground water development in four arid and semi-arid districts of Kenya.