Kenya has received a KSh260 million grant from the Government of China to support drought mitigation and strengthen the country’s preparedness for potential Ebola outbreaks.
The National Treasury officially handed over the grant after Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Dr Chris Kiptoo hosted Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan.
According to Kiptoo, the grant totals USD2 million, equivalent to approximately KSh259.88 million at an exchange rate of KSh129.94 to the US dollar.
Half of the funding, about KSh130 million, will support drought mitigation efforts, while the other half will strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.
“Welcomed H.E. Amb. Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, at the National Treasury for the official handing over of a USD 2 million grant from the Government of China to the Government of Kenya,” Kiptoo said.
“Of the total grant, USD 1 million will support drought mitigation efforts, while the remaining USD 1 million will strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.”
China Gives Kenya KSh260 Million for Drought and Ebola Preparedness
Kiptoo thanked the Chinese Government for its continued support and commitment to Kenya’s development, particularly in infrastructure and socioeconomic programmes.
The PS said the grant was part of the broader cooperation between Kenya and China, with the two countries continuing to work together on development priorities.
Kiptoo also briefed Ambassador Guo on his recent official visit to China, and the follow-up engagements needed to advance the projects and areas of cooperation discussed during the visit.
He said the discussions aimed to advance various programs agreed upon by the two countries.
China has remained one of Kenya’s key development partners, supporting infrastructure, healthcare and other development programmes through loans and grants.
The National Treasury has previously highlighted Chinese support for major projects, including roads, railways and healthcare facilities.
The Chinese funding comes as the government steps up efforts to prepare for and contain a potential Ebola outbreak, mobilizing billions of shillings for emergency response.
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Kenya Mobilizes Billions for Ebola Response
The government is mobilizing more than KSh70 billion to prepare to contain a potential Ebola outbreak, with the National Treasury setting aside an initial KSh2.6 billion for emergency response.
Much of the funding is expected to come from international partners.
According to the National Treasury, the government has established a preliminary Ebola response mitigation fund of KSh2.6 billion to support the Ministry of Health in preparing for and containing an Ebola outbreak in the country.
The Treasury is also expecting an additional KSh21 billion from the US government as part of the Department of State’s direct assistance commitment to combat the outbreak.
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The Ebola mitigation kitty is expected to receive an additional KSh51.8 billion in emergency financing from the World Bank after Kenya sought support through the lender’s Rapid Response Option.
The additional financing would raise the total funds available for Ebola preparedness and response to more than KSh70 billion.
The funds are expected to enhance surveillance, strengthen early detection systems, train community health workers and procure essential drugs for patients.
At the centre of the funding is the KSh21 billion allocation for the US-funded bio-isolation facility in Laikipia.
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