KBC Channel 1

Author: Eric Biegon

  • Trade CS says Kenya will tap into enormous Chinese market for its products

    Trade CS says Kenya will tap into enormous Chinese market for its products

    Kenya is eager to expand its opportunities and enhance exports to China’s lucrative market.

    The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade & Industry Moses Kuria noted that China has over the years become a good ground for Kenyan products and pointed out that its vast market still has room for more exports from Kenya.

    He said this is especially the case given that Kenya is looking at boosting the production of various commodities at a time the East Asian nation is opening up its doors to various Kenyan products.

    “China is a valued partner in our trade negotiations and we must tap into its enormous market for our products, as we boost our local production,” he said

    Kuria made the remarks recently when he held a consultative meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian at his office.

    He added; “In the County Aggregation and Industrial parks, I have engaged with most Governors and we are aggressively looking for investors and China comes in handy,”

    The Minister said President William Ruto’s Government is working on establishing an even more-structured mechanism to continue engaging with an increasing number of Chinese investors coming into the country.

    And with the growth and emergence of marketing platforms for products to various cities in China, the CS disclosed that Kenya will explore opportunities availed through such as international expos organized by Chinese institutions.

    “China has some upcoming trade exhibitions and I’ll be leading the Government’s high-level delegations to engage with potential investors. Additionally, we have also agreed to meet with all Chinese investors in Kenya,” he said

    So far, Kenya signed a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with China touching on trade, digital innovations, green development, and investments aimed at increasing export and import opportunities for small and medium enterprises.

    The Kenya China Chamber of Commerce has since set up an office in Beijing to start facilitating the trade and identifying export opportunities for Kenyan companies.

  • Kenyan scholar says Africa can learn from China’s anti-desertification success story

    Kenyan scholar says Africa can learn from China’s anti-desertification success story

    A Kenyan scholar has applauded the great progress made by China in conservation especially desert control through the planting of trees and the deployment and use of the latest technologies.

    Professor Robert Gituru, a lecturer at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and co-director of the Sino-Africa Joint Research Centre (SAJOREC) notes that the East Asian nation has registered great success in strategies put in place to combat desertification.

    Prof Gituru made the remarks amid ongoing initiatives to raise awareness among governments and organizations about the responsibility of everyone to embrace sustainable water and land use to reduce the spread of desertification and drought.

    The scholar says the partnership between Kenya and China in this regard will see farmlands that have turned deserts reclaimed and used to produce the food needed by millions of people.

    He gave the example of the reclamation of large parts of the Taklamakan Desert in Northwest China that are now being used for agricultural activities as a testament to the great work China is doing in ecological conservation.

    “The challenge of desertification that is facing Africa and most parts of the world is one that China has also experienced within its borders for many years. It is neither a new thing nor something strange to China. They understand it very well,” he said

    Speaking during a recent TV interview, Prof Gituru indicated that scientists in Kenya and Africa are keenly following what their Chinese counterparts are doing with a view to implementing the same for the benefit of the people and environment.

    He further acknowledged the support China has extended to Kenya and African countries to promote conservation and improve ecology. He gave special mention to researchers at Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station (SDRES) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who have been developing new techniques to combat desertification in China, which in the past 20 years has contributed to the world’s largest greening areas.

    “The difference between China and the rest of the world is that their scientists have been researching about desertification and developing strategies to tackle them for a very long time. They have done it for 60 years and we are lucky that we can work with them,” he said

    “Every scientist who is active day is standing on the shoulders of a giant. As SAJOREC, we are happy to work with China and indeed we can borrow their expertise and infuse some of our own and be able to find a solution to Africa and the world. I am sure if we use these strategies from China we will succeed in our desert control mechanisms,” he adds.

    According to Prof Gituru, joint efforts have aided China’s successful fight against desertification which was threatening to spread to large parts of the country hence posing an even bigger threat to China’s food security agenda. He says the lands that have been reclaimed now form part of China’s food basket regions.

    “Water in the desert is a very scarce resource. And there are irrigation techniques that only target crops or plants. When you see what has been done in China, you start to believe that it is truly possible to convert a desert into productive land,” noted Prof. Gituru.

    He disclosed that Sino-Africa Joint Research Center is working closely with China’s Xinjiang Institute of Geography to find solutions to desertification. The center he says is currently researching solutions to desertification in North African countries which are being faced with the phenomenon and noted that already the studies are bearing fruits.

    In recent years, China has pushed ahead with its greening efforts across the country. In 2020 alone, the country improved the ecology of 2.83 million hectares of grassland and carried out desertification prevention-and-control work on over 2.09 million hectares of land.

    Indeed, China has been sharing its knowledge of sand control with other countries. It will be remembered that back in 1977, it shared the anti-desertification technique used in Shapotou at the UN Conference on Desertification in Nairobi, Kenya.

  • Beneficiaries of Chinese scholarships tour Beijing-sponsored projects in Nairobi, laud Sino-Kenya ties

    Beneficiaries of Chinese scholarships tour Beijing-sponsored projects in Nairobi, laud Sino-Kenya ties

    The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi led a group of Kenyan students who have been awarded scholarships to China on a tour of a number of Beijing-sponsored projects in the country’s capital Nairobi.

    The tour of projects such as the Global Trade Centre Nairobi (GTC) and Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) by the 50 students who benefited from full sponsorships to pursue various education programmes in the East Asian nation was aimed at familiarising the group with various aspects of the Chinese way of life as they prepare to depart the country in two months time.

    The Embassy extended its support to Kenyan locals in ensuring that they are educated about the Chinese language and culture in their pursuit of various other fields of study.

    According to the beneficiaries, the Kenya-China relationship has contributed immensely in shaping their careers.

    “Scholarship is not something that is easy to get. If you want to go (abroad) to study and pay for everything for yourself, then the school fees are quite expensive. Some of us may not be able to cater for that.” said Peter Gikonyo, one of the beneficiary students

    “The Chinese government has come on board to support us and we are grateful for the sponsorship,” added Gikonyo

    His counterpart Ahmed Mohamed lauded the support the Chinese government has extended to Kenya over the years and noted that the country, now the second-largest economy in the world provides great lessons in development and is a good ground for learners to pursue their education

    “As Kenyans, we will acquire more skills that will help us to progress in future as they have done,” he said

    “A lot of the technology that we need to borrow from China, the dispatch here is so fantastic. That technology we want to exploit it in the dispatch area” added Emmanuel Simiyu during the tour of SGR

    The students acknowledged that the tour aided their understanding of the relationship between the two countries.

    “To have us see some of these projects, and acclimatize to bits of Chinese culture, this is good because when we go to China, we would be faced with culture shock,” noted Gokonyo

    The tour comes even as the Chinese government promised to enhance its bilateral programmes with the Kenyan Government for the benefit of the two countries.

    Beijing, through the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, says will put more emphasis on the education sector through which citizens of both countries can benefit from exchange programmes.

  • Chinese processing company helps Kwale export fish species to China

    Chinese processing company helps Kwale export fish species to China

    Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya recently flagged off the first export consignment of anchovies (dagaa,) fish from Kwale County to China, a market that is currently opening up more for Kenyan and African products.

    The fresh consignment was dispatched from the Huawen Food (Kenya) Ltd, a Chinese company that has established a factory for processing, drying and packaging anchovies bought from local fishermen and shipping them to the East Asian country.

    Anchovies are small, common forage fish and most species are found in marine waters.

    “The Huawen Food Kenya Ltd a seafood exporting company is a plus to the economy of Kwale in particular and Kenya at large. It has created employment to our people,” said the CS adding that Kenya now has a chance to increase fish export to the Chinese market.

    He says the 351 kgs which will be shipped to China is part of 70 tonnes already processed at Kibuyuni in Shimoni area of Kwale by Huawen Foods Kenya Ltd.

    The Cabinet Secretary says the potential for anchovies caught by local fisher folk in the coastal county is sufficiently large to support export activities.

    He expressed hope that the export would in the long run support local fishermens’ activities and increase their productivity.

    Mvurya noted the export of anchovies sourced from the coastline to the Chinese market is anchored on a bilateral agreement signed by the two countries in 2022 aimed at facilitating bilateral trade in products such as avocadoes and aquatic resources.

    He said access to the Chinese market will boost the growth of the fisheries sub-sector thus injecting fresh vitality into the local blue economy sector that encompasses fisheries, maritime biotechnology, aquaculture, tourism and marine transport and logistics.

    Area Governor Fatuma Achani says the company is currently involved in anchovy fishing and export to China and has employed 150 people and is also engaging fishermen from Vanga, Gasi, Kibuyuni, and Shimoni in supplying anchovy.

    The Governor thanked Huawen Food Company management for their investment in Kwale and assured of continued support from the county government.

    “This is a good opportunity that has created an opportunity for our fishermen to fully explore the blue economy sector, and has also created employment opportunities for our people,” she said.

    “As a county government we reaffirm our commitment to provide a conducive environment for investment such as the deal with China that opens a large market to companies.” added the County Chief

    Achani says the export activities assure the local fisher folk of a reliable and sustainable market for their catch, hence spurring the growth of the local blue economy and also creation of job opportunities to the people.

    She said the historical milestone by the sea food company avails an exceptional opportunity to local fishermen to venture into commercial fishing.

    The flagging off event was also attended by Kwale Senator Issa Boy, Kwale Woman Representative Fatuma Masito and Liu Zhiyong the Director for Huawen Food Kenya EPZ Ltd.

  • Beijing-sponsored Mathare school turns 16 as Chinese community delivers more donations

    Beijing-sponsored Mathare school turns 16 as Chinese community delivers more donations

    The Chinese government is committed to strengthen bilateral ties and cooperation with Kenya especially in the education sector, Beijing’s top envoy in Nairobi has said.

    Zhou Pingjian, Ambassador of China to Kenya, reiterated Friday that President Xi Jinping’s administration values the relationship that exists between Nairobi and Beijing and will therefore continue to rally behind the country’s development aspirations.

    “China and Kenya are very good friends, partners and brothers. We have established our relationship for almost 60 years and our cooperation has been across the board,” he said

    Speaking during the 16th anniversary of Mathare Community Educational and Development Organization Beijing School, Ambassador Zhou said the learning institution was a testimony of China’s commitment to nurturing a cordial, and mutually beneficial relationship with Kenya.

    “We are very happy to be in MCEDO Beijing school. It brings some significance to our diplomatic relations. The friendship between nations lies on mutual affinity between the two people,”

    “We are very proud of being partners of Kenya for 60 years and we are optimistic in the spirit of MCEDO Beijing school, our bilateral relations will even get stronger for mutual benefit,” he said

    The Chinese Ambassador commended the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) for their generous contributions towards the growth of the learning institution.

    He said the strong bond between Kenya and China started six decades ago, and undertook to ensure that the embassy alongside the Chinese business community in Kenya under KCETA, will be available to deepen the existing ties and work for the benefit of the Kenyan people.

    H.E Zhou Pingjian, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, waves to the Children of MCEDO Beijing School in Mathare during celebrations to mark the institution’s 16 years since establishment. PHOTO/ZHAO QIAN

    The Principal Secretary for State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria lauded Chinese government programmes in the country aimed at giving an opportunity to the underprivileged to pursue their academic dreams.

    “My appreciation goes to the China Embassy and KCETA for their continued support to this school since 2007 resulting to scholars from humble backgrounds in Mathare North progressing to university level,” said Dr. Muoria

    The atmosphere in the school was that of joy and excitement as the children expressed gratitude towards Chinese support to the institution located deep inside one of Nairobi’s informal settlements over the years.

    Through a strong partnership with the Chinese Embassy, the school has reaped numerous benefits, including generous donations in various forms such as textbooks, classrooms, furniture, food, and improved facilities.

    And that was not all, with the embassy donating over Ksh 3 million, as part of the celebrations to mark the anniversary.

    In order to improve the teaching environment in the school, KCETA recently completed the renovation and maintenance of the school with Ksh.7.134 million.

    What’s more, the school has been without electricity for 15 years due to the lack of electricity supply and power payment challenges throughout Mathare slums. Between October and December 2022, Chinese company Yocean Group Limited, a member of KCETA, moved in and donated EPC project worth Ksh.5.82 million which includes design, supply, installation and commissioning of 13KWP solar mini-grid system with battery energy storage capacity of 20KWH.

    The company also completed wiring and lighting of all rooms, security lights, one-year operation and maintenance service to the School.

    Over and above the material donation, the Embassy has awarded Chinese government scholarships to high school graduates from the School, and three students are in the process of being considered for a fully-paid 4-year bachelor program in China.

  • More schools in Kenya keen to teach Chinese language, culture

    More schools in Kenya keen to teach Chinese language, culture

    A good number of learning institutions in Kenya are expressing eagerness to teach Chinese language and culture.

    This came to light Wednesday as the Chinese Embassy in Kenya hosted students from the Alliance High and Kenya High schools as part of celebrations to mark the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

    Head teachers from the two schools noted that the Chinese language is appealing to more learners who are also keen to understand the Chinese culture amid growing presence of Chinese companies and expatriates in the Kenya.

    According to the principals, hard work and a strong work ethic demonstrated by the Chinese in their undertakings locally is an inspiration. They said language can be a bridge to a deeper understanding of their way of doing things.

    They further noted that Kenya has a lot to learn from China, especially on how the East Asian country was able to overcome poverty and lead its people to economic empowerment in record time in history.

    “Today marks the beginning of innovation. looking at the young people in front of us I know they will take advantage of this opportunity and learn as much as possible. We are looking up to you to change the narrative about China.” Kenya High Alliance Principal Virginia Wahome said

    “A few years back China was poor and now it’s even hard to compare. what are they doing that we are not doing?” she posed

    Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian committed to channel more support to schools in Kenya to promote education even as the two countries prepare to celebrate 60 years since establishment of diplomatic relations.

    “There is a need to invest more in young people and education in Kenya, because this will be the backborne of future development of Kenya,” said the Ambassador

    When asked about potential support for the schools, Ambassador Zhou said the embassy will explore avenues of cooperation with the two schools and the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi to deepen understanding of Chinese culture.

    He described the visit  by the two schools as a friendship visit aimed at strengthening the bonds between Kenya and China.

    Liu Zhenyu, Director of Information and Public Affairs at the Chinese Embassy disclosed that Kenya High School and the Alliance High School are the latest schools to establish Chinese clubs as students would like to learn more about China.

    “China and Kenya share a very long traditional friendship. and I believe you have all witnessed dependable and fruitful results between our two countries. As the embassy, we always want to play a positive role as a window and bridge to people to people exchanges between our countries,” said Liu

  • Kenyan, Chinese scholars unveil new book at Beijing International Book Fair 

    Kenyan, Chinese scholars unveil new book at Beijing International Book Fair 

    Kenya drew attraction once again during the 29th Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), which concluded Sunday in Beijing.

    The exhibition, which is one of Asia’s greatest international book fairs, saw the unveiling of a new book titled “The Flora of Kenya”, the first English-language edition book jointly compiled by scientists from Kenya and China.

    The book provides a glimpse into the unique and fascinating plants native to Kenya, thanks to the country’s diverse landscape.

    The Kenya Embassy in Beijing described the latest publication as a further “consolidation of Kenya-China cooperation and yet another concrete result of long-term cooperation efforts between friends and partners,” especially seen through the ongoing cooperation mechanism under the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

    “The Flora of Kenya is a remarkable publication for present and future generations that will contribute to the future conservation and sustainable use of plant diversity in Kenya in line with the Government’s commitments to environmental protection,” the embassy said after the launch

    The new book on Kenya’s flora was among the more than 200,000 books put on display at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, in an event that hosted exhibitors both on-site and online.

    A total of 2,500 exhibitors from around the world graced the 2023 fair, spotlighting China’s position in the global publishing industry.

    It was also announced during the exhibition that 2,900 Chinese works have been translated into foreign languages such as French, English, Korean, Russian, Nepali, Arabic, Hebrew, Polish, and Thai, among others, to cater to global readers.

    At the same time, China Social Sciences Press launched a multilingual book series of studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

    The vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Zhen Zhanmin said the new era thought is the essence of Chinese culture and the Chinese spirit in the contemporary era, a new leap forward in the Chinese localization of Marxism, and a powerful guidance for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

    According to organizers, mutual learning and collaboration between Chinese and international publishers is the main focus of the fair.

  • Chinese firm Vinchin, partners’ Mitsumi Distribution to tap into Kenyan market

    Chinese firm Vinchin, partners’ Mitsumi Distribution to tap into Kenyan market

    Data protection solutions, Vinchin has announced a strategic partnership with Mitsumi Distribution as part of its plans to tap into the Kenyan market and Africa at large.

    The China-based firm, which specializes in developing backup software across the world intends to work closely with like-minded distributors to supply cost-effective and cutting-edge solutions for customers.

    Announcing the cooperation at Mitsumi’s head office in Nairobi, Shall Ao, Vinchin’s Sales Director said the widespread cyberattacks across the world cripple systems, disrupt services, damage reputation, and result in direct financial losses that runs into billions of shillings.

    She said there was a need to mitigate the risk, and impact of cyberattacks and data loss urging organizations to implement robust cybersecurity measures and regularly perform data backups.

    “Mitsumi Distribution brings on board an in-depth knowledge of the African IT market and a vast network of customers, making it an ideal distributor for Vinchin Backup and Recovery, which is meant to meet the growing demand for a reliable and affordable backup solution in the African market. The cooperation will enable Vinchin to leverage the distributor’s extensive network to reach more customers and increase brand awareness in the region.” Shall Ao explained

    The partnership highlights the importance of data protection in today’s fast-paced business world, and underscores both companies’ commitment to providing customers with the best solutions to safeguard their critical data. Mitsumi Distribution will now be able to provide customers with trustworthy and efficient backup and recovery solutions that will ensure business continuity amidst the growing complexity of data.

    Mitsumi Distribution Managing Director Mitesh Shah said signing up with Vinchin will ensure customers are able to access top-notch data protection solutions across Africa.

    “Vinchin’s commitment to innovation and reliability aligns perfectly with our mission of providing best-in-class technology solutions to our clients. Together, we will empower organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure and protect their valuable data assets.” Shah added.

    Mitsumi Distribution is a prominent distributor of IT infrastructure that specializes in telco, networking, hardware, and storage solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. It has a strong presence in 24 countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe with over 3200 clients worldwide.

  • Ruto administration puts more funds toward critical infrastructure development

    Ruto administration puts more funds toward critical infrastructure development

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndungu confirmed Thursday that President William Ruto’s government will continue to expand critical infrastructure across the country.

    In his budget statement for the 2023/2024 Financial Year, the Treasury boss noted that the development of roads, railways, sea, and airports will create an enabling environment for economic recovery and employment creation.

    Towards this end, he proposed budget allocations of Ksh 244.9 billion, to support the construction of roads and bridges as well as their rehabilitation and maintenance. This figure is bigger than Ksh.212.5 that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration had set aside for the same in its final budget.

    Allocations such as those of the Standard Gauge Railway, Lapsset, Dongo Kundu, and Nairobi Metro as well as the construction and expansion of airports and airstrips took this figure to a total budgetary allocation of Ksh 245.1 billion. Ruto rose this figure to Ksh 286 billion with funding set aside towards new projects such as Ksh 579 million for the Rehabilitation of Locomotives; and Ksh 889 million for the Development of Nairobi Railway City.

    There is also the Ksh 1.1 billion allocated for the Nairobi Bus Rapid Transport Project; Ksh 300 million for the Acquisition of Ferries for Lake Victoria and the Smart Driving Licence which received Ksh 500 million.

    At the same time, Ndungu announced budgetary allocations of Ksh 62.3 billion to support the production of reliable and affordable energy. Out of this, the Treasury CS indicated that Ksh 33.8 billion will cater for the National Grid System; Ksh 12.1 billion for Rural Electrification; Ksh 11.4 billion for Development of Geothermal Energy; and Ksh 3.2 billion for Alternative Energy Technologies.

    And that’s not all. The CS told parliament that the National Treasury is in the process of developing a 10-year infrastructure plan that will be cross-cutting across various Ministries, to support the delivery and prioritization of projects.

    He said the National Treasury plans to mobilize an estimated Ksh 100 billion in private sector capital through various priority sectors.

    “The focus will be on priority investments and underlying key projects and programmes in each sector that deliver nationally significant infrastructure, drive growth, and unlock private investment with the greatest potential benefit to the Kenyan people,” he said

    “These sectors will include airports, seaports, blue economy, water, agriculture, industrialization (SEZ), energy including transmission lines and digitalization among other key sectors in the economy,” the CS added

    According to the CS, the inclusion of local goods, works and services will be emphasized for each project, to contribute to overall economic growth by encouraging local investments in PPP projects.

    To achieve the PPP mandate of scaling up private sector capital, he said the National Treasury will leverage on the continued support from Development Partners as well as other key institutions both in the public and private sector including capital markets, pension funds, and commercial banks in scaling up private sector capital under the PPP framework.

    “To ensure the sustainability of PPP projects, the Project Facilitation Fund (PFF) has been operationalised. The Fund will support project preparation, provide viability gap funding to projects as well as a source of liquidity to meet fiscal commitments and contingent liabilities that may arise from PPP projects,” he said

    With the Fund in place and a robust legal and regulatory regime, he said the private sector has the necessary confidence and security to invest in PPP projects.

    Indeed, in the last financial year, he disclosed that the National Treasury successfully mobilized Ksh 15 billion by achieving the financial closure of two clusters of urban roads projects under the Roads Annuity Programme.

    “The projects are currently in the construction phase. Additional projects that have closed, include two renewable energy projects with a combined installed capacity of 70 MW,” he said

  • Chinese manufacturers to scale up investments in Kisumu

    Chinese manufacturers to scale up investments in Kisumu

    A team of Chinese investors has expressed interest in scaling up the manufacturing of building materials and internal decoration products in Kisumu County.

    This follows the successful establishment of KEDA Ceramics Company in the area by Chinese investors, which opened its doors last year.

    The investors operating under the umbrella of China Lesso Group Holdings Limited, aim to leverage the success of KEDA ceramics, to manufacture diversified building materials and products.

    China Lesso Group Holdings Limited Chairman, Wong Luen Hei, Monday led a team of 14 investors from Hong Kong China, to explore investment opportunities in the lakeside city.

    Speaking during a courtesy call on Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr.Mathwe Owili, Wong said the investors were keen on setting up plants on the 150 acres piece of land owned by KEDA group in Miwani to venture into manufacturing.

    The investors, he added, will specialize in the manufacturing of pipes and fittings, interior decoration products, and home furnishing materials and at the same time play an active role in the supply chain and environmental conservation.

    Mr. Wong said the initiative targets to create job opportunities for the youth and improve the livelihoods of the people of Kisumu.

    “We started by investing in ceramics production seven years ago in Kajiado. In 2021, we expanded to Kisumu. From the implementation of the first production line here, we have seen a big potential and market in Kisumu and the neighboring counties,” he said.

    Through the new investments, the Company targets to double the investment in Kisumu to create more opportunities for the locals.

    On his part, Dr. Owili lauded the initiative, saying it was set to open up the County for development, besides creating job opportunities for the youth.

    “The China Lesso Investment Group is not new to Kisumu, as KEDA Ceramics has been in the country for seven years. They entered Kisumu in 2021 and started operations in 2022, employing thousands of people, both directly and indirectly,” said the Deputy Governor,”

    The County Government of Kisumu, he said, will continue to partner and create a conducive environment for investors.