Chinese companies support COVID-19 fight in Kenya

Currently, Kenyan staff members who are in key positions have remained on duty following the suspension of passenger train.

"We look forward to the early end of the COVID-19 epidemic. Once it's over, our company will carry out normal passenger and freight transportation services according to the requirements of the government and Kenya Railways," Mengich said.

The China Communications Construction Company Limited has also ensured that employees are well protected against contraction of coronavirus in its Lamu Port construction project.

Alfred Mitei, an employee of the company, expressed gratitude on the measures taken by the company to ensure that construction works goes on despite the coronavirus pandemic and that the staff members are well protected against contracting the virus.

"The movement of people in and out of the project site has been stopped, so we cannot be infected, we are safe," Mitei said.

The company has provided handwashing soaps and sanitizers and all the employees are required to wear masks throughout, as measures to prevent spread of the virus.

Sinohydro Corporation Limited, which is carrying out 24 construction projects in Kenya, has also keenly observed the measures imposed by the government and ensured that the work goes on, despite the pandemic.

"We are trying our best to protect our employees. We check employees' body temperature on daily basis and provide them with sanitizers and face masks. We have also directed the staff members to keep social distance throughout," said Benjamin Nie, the marketing director of Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

In April, the company donated 20,400 face masks, 200 medical goggles and 3,000 medical gloves valued at around $15,000 to the Kenyan government through the Chinese embassy in Kenya.

"Many other donations have also been donated by various project teams to our clients," Nie said.

He said plans are underway to participate in one of their clients' hand washing campaign sponsorship.