Using posh language the Chinese government has said Kenya and her people will be one of the first to receive its own covid-19 vaccine.
Chinese ambassador to Kenya H.E. Zhou Pingjian said they will give Kenya ‘priority’ once the vaccine is released.
The President Xi Jinping’s administration says this is a show solidarity with developing countries, especially in Africa, in efforts aimed at defeating the pandemic that has caused untold suffering to humanity as well as disruptions to economic and social activities.
Speaking after a meeting with Kenya’s opposition leader Raila Odinga, Zhou reiterated his country’s promise in what he termed as “taking the lead in the search for a safe and effective covid-19 vaccine and making it affordable and available to Africa.”
The offer was welcomed by the Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
“We want to thank the Chinese government for its commitments to ensure that once the vaccine is available, it will be easily accessible and affordable across Africa,” Raila said.
Already a potential covid-19 vaccine developed by China National Biotech Group (CNBG) is in the final stages of clinical trials in a number of countries including some in Africa like Morroco.
Researchers have expressed confidence in the vaccine which they say is safe given that it has already been approved for an emergency inoculation program in China targeting essential workers and others at high infection risk.
According to the World Health Organization, out of the ten coronavirus vaccines that have progressed to Phase III trials globally, a record four are being developed by Chinese scientists.
The promise is a follow up to a pledge made during a recent meeting between Chinese President and African leaders including Kenya’s Uhuru Kenyatta, where Beijing emphasized the importance of collaboration and called for unity, solidarity, and joint efforts to contain the pandemic while paying particular attention to people in vulnerable situations.
