Chinese Government donates 14,800MT of rice to benefit victims of floods in Kenya

KENYA—The Chinese government has donated 14,800 metric tons of rice to Kenya, aiming to support Kenyans who have recently been affected by severe flooding in several regions of the country.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) confirmed the arrival of the rice at the Inland Container Depot Embakasi, noting that the donation was handed over by the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Zhou Pingjian.

 “This donation is part of the continuous humanitarian aid provided by the Chinese government to Kenya,” stated the KPA.

The rice will be distributed to flood victims in numerous areas, including the Lake Region, Tana River, and Madera.

Additionally, other counties set to benefit include Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, and Wajir. Affected Kenyans are encouraged to visit their local National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to receive their share of the donation.

This aid comes just two months after China pledged to send over Ksh370 million in food to assist Kenyans impacted by the floods.

While announcing the support, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Chinese embassy in Nairobi Zhang Zhizhong, further disclosed that the Red Cross Society of China is donating 100,000 USD to Kenya as part of post-flood aid.

“China reaffirms its unwavering solidarity and commitment to working closely with Kenya, striving to build an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era,” he said

He said the consignment, which includes tonnes of rice, has already been shipped and will arrive in the country soon.

Zhang Zhizhong expressed confidence that the rice would significantly benefit the flood-affected populations, underscoring the strong bonds and mutual support that characterize the relationship between China and Kenya.

Among other East African regions, Kenya suffered food shortages after heavier-than-usual rains, compounded by the El Nino weather phenomenon, which devastated the nations, threatening agriculture, transport, and health systems.

In May, Rice farmers in Ahero, Kisumu County, counted losses after floods swept off over 800 acres of rice plantations, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) reported.

Kennedy Ouma, NIA Scheme Manager, said that all the farms had been washed away by the raging flood waters, an incident predicted to deal a blow to efforts by the national government to ensure there is proper food security through rice farming.

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