Kenya has received a Ksh259 million grant from China to strengthen Ebola detection and response efforts in the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The grant was handed over to the National Treasury on Thursday, October 8, by China’s Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan.

According to Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo, the funds will support Ebola preparedness and drought mitigation efforts.

“Welcomed H.E. Amb. Guo Haiyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Kenya, at the National Treasury for the official handing over of a USD 2 million (Ksh259 million) grant from the Government of China to the Government of Kenya,” Kiptoo stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

Of the Ksh259 million, Ksh129.5 million will support drought mitigation efforts, while the remaining Ksh129.5 million will strengthen Kenya’s preparedness and response to potential Ebola outbreaks.

The move comes two days after Kenya reported its first-ever imported Ebola virus case.

The case was confirmed on Tuesday, October 6, with the Health Cabinet Secretary announcing that the patient died and was buried .

The patient, a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), travelled to Nairobi through Uganda before being isolated at Nairobi Hospital.

The development came as Kenya sought Ksh51.8 billion (USD400 million) in emergency funding from the World Bank under its Rapid Response Option.

As part of preparations to contain the disease, the government is mobilising Ksh70 billion, with the National Treasury having set aside an initial Ksh2.6 billion for emergency response.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke