Chinese community helps with drought relief

Josepheta Mukobe (left), principal secretary for the ministry of devolution and planning, and Liu Xianfa (right), the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, announce 16 million shillings worth of food donations for drought relief on April 7 in Nairobi. Liu Hongjie/China Daily.

The Chinese community has yet again put a smile on many hunger stricken Kenyans living in arid and semi-arid areas, following a recent donation of foodstuffs worth Ksh16 million ($154, 664).

The donation, which consisted of 144 metric tonnes of wheat flour, maize flour and cooking oil, was donated by the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony for the food donation on April 6, Josepheta Mukobe, principal secretary of the ministry of devolution and planning, lauded the Chinese community for its timely response to the country’s drought.

"This donation will go a long way to aid the drought situation," she said. "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."

Mukobe noted that the donation was another testimony to the strong relationship and cooperation between Kenya and China and challenged other international communities to follow suit.

Liu Xianfa, China's ambassador to Kenya, said the donation expressed the goodwill of Chinese nationals in Kenya.

"This donation is not only a reflection of the brotherhood between the Chinese and Kenyan people, but also a display of the responsibility and the commitment of China," he said.

He said the Chinese community in Kenya has always been working hand-in-hand with their Kenyan brothers and sisters to promote the social and economic development of the country.