China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) has helped local government to repair a section of the Maai Mahiu-Narok road which collapsed after heavy rains. Photo taken on March 14, 2018. (Xinhua/John Okoyo)
Chinese firms in Kenya are always committed to ensuring that they support the local communities in which they operate in, said a Kenyan worker.
NAIROBI, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Creating jobs, transferring skills and easing poverty for local citizens... The corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities undertaken by Chinese firms were hailed by Kenyans.
In the past two decades, the number of Chinese firms in Kenya has increased, buoyed by rising bilateral ties. Chinese firms have also recognized the important roles played by stakeholders and local communities in the areas where they operate.
Devilyn Misigo Mudaki is one of the beneficiaries of Chinese firms' CSR activities.
The 25 year old Mudaki credits the Chinese technology firm Huawei for fulfilling her dream of becoming a cyber security professional. Huawei provided her with a golden opportunity to pursue a career in science.
Mudaki was selected to be an intern at Huawei Nairobi offices for a period of two months under the company's key CSR program, Seeds for the Future.
Due to her excellent performance during the internship, she was selected to undergo a two-week training at Huawei global headquarters in Shenzhen, China.
The photo taken on Aug. 27, 2019 shows a ceremony to launch the 2018-2019 Social Responsibility Report in Nairobi, Kenya. (Xinhua/Lyu Shuai)
Mudaki told Xinhua on Tuesday during the launch of the second social responsibility report by Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) that she was offered a job at Huawei in April 2017, one month before she graduated with a bachelor degree of science in computer science security.
She added that Huawei has a positive work environment that promotes shared learning among employees.
"The company gives everyone an opportunity to grow their career according to their talents, capabilities and skills," she noted.
Data from the embassy of China in Kenya shows there are currently more than 400 Chinese businesses operating in Kenya, creating nearly 130,000 jobs for local people.
According to KCETA, its 106 members operating in Kenya spent more than 7.8 billion shillings (75 million U.S. dollars) to help local communities build roads and water infrastructure, support education, and improve living conditions of local residents.
Newton Milimu also praises the social activities of Chinese firms in Kenya.
The 26-year-old young man completed his diploma in mechanical engineering in western Kenya in 2018. He was selected to join the Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) cohort in 2018, which is a CSR project of Chinese firm AVIC International.
Li Changgui (L), General Manager at China Road and Bridge Corporation (Kenya) and Guo Ce (R), Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy pose for a group photo with some of the employees from Kenya-China Economic Trade Association (KCETA), in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, April 8, 2019. The 55 outstanding employees from KCETA companies will be traveling to China for an eight-day visit. (Xinhua/Charles Onyango)
He observed that during the 45-day training at ATC, his proficiency in numerical machines and programming of machines was vastly improved due to access to modern Chinese equipment and trainers.
Milimu, who currently works as an assistant engineer at AVIC International said that Chinese firms in Kenya are always committed to ensuring that they support the local communities in which they operate in.
Leonard Mpoke, has also benefited from CSR activities of Chinese firms in Kenya.
The middle-aged man who is the personal assistant to the managing director at Chinese ceramic firm KEDA Ceramics revealed that Chinese firms are always keen to enhance the welfare of their employees.
"Chinese companies value the input of their workers because it is the right thing to do," he added.
Mpoke was among the 55 outstanding Kenyan employees from over 20 KCETA member enterprises who won a free trip to China in 2019.
