NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 24 – China has donated $3 million towards the fight against famine, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has disclosed.
Mr Musyoka said on Tuesday that the money will be forwarded to the Treasury to purchase food for starving Kenyans.
He said it was encouraging that from the time President Mwai Kibaki declared famine as a national disaster, there has been overwhelming support from both locals and the international community.
“I must appreciate the role being played by the Chinese government in the fight against famine and other assistance towards the general development of this country,” said Mr Musyoka.
Speaking when he received 100 bags of maize flour from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Africa, on behalf of the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation, the VP commended China for her continued assistance to Kenya.
The foodstuff was presented to Mr Musyoka by the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhang Ming during a ceremony held at the VP’s Jogoo House office.
He said the government was doing everything possible to address the problem of famine and thanked the company for the assistance.
The Vice President said it was only through teamwork and unity of purpose that problems facing the country could be resolved.
He asked leaders to forget their political and tribal affiliations and speak with one voice to fight against problems facing Kenyans, famine included.
Mr Musyoka further disclosed that the Chinese Oil Corporation was working towards the exploration of oil in Eastern province, and expressed hope that it would succeed.
Mr Ming on his part said that the Chinese government was committed to helping Kenya tackle the problem of famine through financial and material support.
He expressed concern that children were the most affected and assured that China would continue to give support to Kenya not only in fighting famine, but also in other spheres of development.
“It is encouraging that the bilateral ties between Kenya and China are becoming stronger everyday. I want to assure the Kenyan government of our support in solving problems facing this country,” said Mr Ming.
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