The Chinese Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Liu Xianfa and the Principal Secretary of the State Department of special programmes Ms. Josepheta Oyiela Mukobe during the flag-off of 16 Million worth of donations towards eight drought-stricken counties in Kenya. [Photo: oxygene.co.ke]
The Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA), in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy and the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, have boosted the national drought relief campaign with Sh16 million donation.
The Donation Ceremony was held on Friday April 7 and attended by Principal Secretary for the State Department of Special Programmes – Ministry of Devolution and Planning Josepheta Mukobe and Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Liu Xianfa and representatives of the member companies of KCETA.The funds raised by the three organisations in response to a recent call by President Uhuru Kenyatta will be used to secure relief interventions in 9 counties that are currently hard-hit by drought.
The Government declared the prevailing drought in the country a national disaster in Kenya in February 2017. The number of people affected with the drought shot to 2.7 million where the most affected are children whose number stands at 1 million in 23 out of the 47 counties.
“This donation received will go a long way to aid the drought situation. We are currently working on a plan to contain the situation which has adversely affected the various parts of the country. We express our gratitude to KCETA and its member companies, the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, the Chinese government and the other partners for reaching out to a friend in need. The donation is another testimony of the strong relationship and cooperation between Kenya and China and we encourage other to follow suit’’ said Josepheta Mukobe, Principal Secretary for Ministry of Devolution and Planning, during the flag-off ceremony.
“There is an old saying in China that One in Difficulty, All Come to Support,” commented the Chinese Ambassador, “the Chinese Community in Kenya have always been working hand in hand with their Kenyan brothers and sisters to promote the social and economic development of Kenya, and when our Kenyan friends are in need, it is our responsibility to reach out to them. We really hope by doing this donation, we can contribute to the ongoing national efforts to relieve drought affected counties and people.”
He further noted that China has made an emergency relief donation of Sh2.2 billion to Kenya. He mentioned that China in the past also suffered from natural disasters and he wished to share China’s experience and skills in conquering natural disasters. He thanked the Chinese Companies that worked the whole day and night to make this donation ceremony to happen.
The ceremony which took place at the Extelcoms House, Nairobi attracted various Chinese companies under the umbrella of KCETA, among them AVIC, Huawei Technologies, Wu Yi, China Road and Bridge, China Overseas Engineering, ZTE, Sany, Sichuan International, Greatwall Drilling and CAMC, each of which donated Sh1,000,000. These companies have expressed their commitment towards the development and well-being of Kenya as their trusted partner and host country; and continue to push their corporate responsibility agenda by being involved in solving the social matters that affect the country. Their donation is targeted to Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Lamu, Laikipia, Baringo, Isiolo, Kitui and Narok East counties.
Commenting as a representative company, the deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya Stone He said, “the Chinese companies over the years shown its commitment towards working with the local communities in a stable environment. As a representative of the Chinese enterprises we not only endeavour to be involved in developmental projects in the ICT and infrastructure fields, but also go beyond and get involved in social causes such as this donation.”
Speaking for KCETA, Su Tianshu of AVIC said that Kenya is vulnerable to naturals disasters and KCETA is set up to promote trade and economic ties between the two country, thus it’s mandated to help relieve the current drought situation.
KCETA was one of the parties that signed an agreement to boost the Kenya- China integration in 2016. Part on the agreement involves China supporting wildlife protection in Kenya and complying with the laws and regulations that will help with integration with the local community while ensuring that both China and Kenya emerge in a win-win situation.