Front line, (1st left) the Principal Secretary for Ministry of Devolution and Planning and Liu Xianfa (2nd left), the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, and members of Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association in a photo shoot, , during a flagging-off ceremony held on April 7 at Nairobi, Kenya. Liu Hongjie/China Daily.

The ceremony also 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 KES 1,000,000.

These companies have expressed their commitment to 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 issues that affect the country. Their donation is targeted to Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Lamu, Laikipia, Baringo, Isiolo, Kitui and Narok East counties, which are the hardest hit by the current drought.

Josepheta Mukobe, the Principal Secretary for Ministry of Devolution and Planning and Liu Xianfa, the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, flag-off the donations, during a ceremony held on April 7 at Nairobi, Kenya. Liu Hongjie/China Daily.

The deputy CEO of Huawei Kenya Stone He said, "As a representative of 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 Kenya was vulnerable to natural disasters and KCETA was set to promote trade and economic ties between the two countries.

KCETA was one of the parties signing an agreement to boost 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.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn