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.
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.
