Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan (left) and National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo display a symbolic cheque for a $1 million Chinese grant to support disaster relief in Kenya during a handover ceremony in Nairobi on October 8, 2026. PHOTO | COURTESY
By Kennedy Otieno
China has given Kenya $2 million (about Sh258 million) to strengthen Ebola preparedness and support drought response efforts, days after the country reported the death of a patient diagnosed with the deadly disease.
The financial assistance will be shared equally between improving public health infrastructure in counties considered vulnerable to Ebola outbreaks and supporting communities affected by drought.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and Kenya’s National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo signed the handover certificate in Nairobi on Thursday, October 8, at a ceremony witnessed by Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni.
Of the total amount, $1 million will be used to strengthen Ebola preparedness infrastructure in counties identified by the Kenyan government as being at high risk of the disease.
The funding, provided at the request of the Kenyan government, is intended to improve the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to potential outbreaks.
The assistance comes amid heightened concern over Ebola following the death of a patient at Nairobi Hospital on October 5.
The patient, who had reportedly travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo through Uganda, tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, prompting health authorities to intensify surveillance and contact tracing.
The case has renewed concerns about Kenya’s vulnerability to infectious diseases, particularly along its borders with countries that have previously experienced Ebola outbreaks.
The remaining $1 million will support the government’s response to drought-related disasters, which continue to threaten livelihoods in several parts of the country.
Arid and semi-arid counties remain particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry spells, which have affected water supplies, livestock production and food security.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ambassador Guo said the assistance reflected the friendship between China and Kenya and the goodwill of the Chinese government and people towards Kenyans.
She said the grant demonstrated China’s solidarity with Kenya as the country addresses public health threats and climate-related challenges.
The latest assistance adds to growing cooperation between Nairobi and Beijing, whose longstanding partnership has largely focused on infrastructure development, trade and investment.
In recent years, the two countries have expanded their cooperation into healthcare, agriculture, education and other sectors aimed at improving livelihoods.
The grant is expected to complement Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disease surveillance and emergency response systems while helping drought-affected communities cope with worsening climatic conditions.
It also highlights the increasing role of public health and disaster preparedness in cooperation between the two countries.
