Source: The Nairobi Star
Friday, 22 April 2011 00:03 BY STAR REPORTER
Kenya and China yesterday moved to strengthen relations with the signing of 10 bilateral agreements on key projects in the country. The signing of the agreements at State House, Nairobi, was witnessed by President Kibaki and visiting member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Li Changchun. The first to be signed was on the concessional loan to finance the Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital.
The 500-bed hospital will be the first fully-fledged university hospital. Currently the University of Nairobi’s School of Medicine uses the facilities of the Kenyatta National Hospital while Moi University’s School f Medicine utilises the facilities of Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
Changchun announced the allocation of Sh8 billion for the Kenyatta University hospital. The money will be used to construct teaching and research facilities at the school of medicine as well as to buy equipment and training. Other agreements signed are on solar energy, anti-malaria project and hydropower station.
Also signed was an agreement on educational exchanges and cooperation between the Ministry of Education of China and Kenya’s Ministry of Higher Education.
The others are an MoU between the State Council Information Office of China and Kenya’s Ministry of Information ; MoU between China’s State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and Kenya’s Ministry of Information and Communications; and cooperation agreement between China Central Television (CCTV) and Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Chinese representative said Kenya has made great strides in development during President Kibaki leadership. “China will continue to be a dependable partner to Kenya. The relations have been boosted to higher levels due to President Kibaki’s pragmatic leadership that greatly values the people and Government of China,” Changchun said. Kibaki said the 10 bilateral agreements reaffirm the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries.
The President thanked the Chinese government for its assistance in many fields including education, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and trade.
Kibaki also appreciated the Chinese Government’s assistance in infrastructural projects, terming it the most ambitious expansion plan in Kenya’s history.
GREEMENTS: Kibaki and ChangChun witness the signing of bilateral project deals by Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Zhong Shan at State House Nairobi yesterday.
