Authorities in Kenya have announced the receipt of US$2 million (about KES260 million) grant from China to help the country fight potential spread of the Ebola disease as well as counter the negative impact of drought.

On Thursday, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan and the National Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo signed a handover certificate for the grant. 

Disclosures show that the donation is part of Beijing's one million USD to help Nairobi to respond to the potential spread of Ebola disease in the country. Kenya reported one fatality from the viral disease in a case where the patient travelled into the country from DRC. 

The officials said the remainder, USD1 million will go a long way in supporting the government's push to forestall loss of lives and livelihoods in drought stricken counties.

Chinese envoy cited Beijing's readiness to firm up ties with Kenya under the framework of the Forum in China-Africa Cooperation and the Global Development Initiative.

President William Ruto has ordered all state agencies to firm up surveillance checks at all border crossing points to stem the risk of transmission of the viral disease.

At the moment, East Africa's largest economy is also grappling with climate-related shocks including prolonged droughts in a majority of its semi-arid counties. The drought ravages the country at a time when the weatherman is forecasting the onset of El Nino rains by mi-October.

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