China has given Kenya a $2 million (about Sh259 million) cash grant to boost Ebola preparedness and drought response. Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan handed it to National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo in Nairobi on Thursday, October 8, as Kenya steps up its guard after confirming its first imported Ebola case two days earlier.
The money will be split equally as Sh129.5 million ($1 million) will go towards drought mitigation and the other amount will go towards Ebola preparedness. Guo said the Ebola funds, provided at the Kenyan government's request, will strengthen preparedness infrastructure in counties identified as being at very high or high risk. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni attended the handover.
Kiptoo commended China for responding promptly to Kenya's requests. Guo said the grant reflects the friendly feelings of the Chinese government and people towards Kenya, and that China is willing to keep deepening development cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the Global Development Initiative.
Kenya has been on high alert since the outbreak began in Congo in May. Duale said the country had screened 652,584 travellers and tested 267 samples across five laboratories by Tuesday, and only the Nairobi patient has tested positive.
The grant is small next to the scale of the response. Kenya has asked the World Bank for $400 million (Sh51.8 billion) in emergency funding under its Rapid Response Option, and the government says it is mobilising billions of shillings for the emergency effort. Unlike a loan, a grant does not add to public debt, which matters as the government pursues fiscal consolidation.
The reports did not say which counties will receive the drought money or how it will be spent. Kenyans have been urged to stay vigilant, wash hands regularly and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms associated with Ebola.
