NAIROBI, March 27 (Xinhua) -- When Chinese e-commerce titan Jack Ma donated millions of testing kits, face masks and ventilators to dozens of countries across the globe to aid in the fight against COVID-19, the world acclaimed.
Kenya is among 54 countries in Africa that received the donation from the Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation, getting 20,000 laboratory diagnostic testing kits and 1,000 protective gears, among other items.
President Uhuru Kenyatta led the east African nation in thanking Jack Ma as the donation had come at a time when the country's confirmed cases were on the rise.
Kenya has so far recorded 31 cases of the disease, one recovery and one death.
"We want to thank Jack Ma who has donated testing kits and other equipment to support us in this battle. We are and we will remain ahead of the curve in the ongoing war because of his generosity," he said.
Similarly, to ordinary Kenyans, Ma's gesture proved that despite the crisis that had made countries think and act 'selfishly' to protect their citizens, there are still people out there who care about the world.
"We are so proud and grateful to Jack Ma. The world is better because of him," David Kimeu, a businessman said on Friday.
"After this storm is over, we will take time to remember Ma in his efforts to help Kenya, Africa and the world," said Maxwell Imbai, a university student.
Analysts have termed Jack Ma's donation as an extension of Chinese humanity to the world and the quest for shared prosperity.
Eric Mang'unyi, a research fellow at Walter Sisulu University, South Africa, said that through the donation, Ma has shown the Chinese that they are a worthy helper in times of need and happiness.
"These gadgets will supplement what governments have at this time of strained healthcare systems and scarce equipment around the globe. They are very timely especially to Africa where most countries are struggling to get them due to high global demand," he said.
Mang'unyi said Ma showed "we are one people and one humanity" by donating to both developing and developed countries.
"This donation certainly deepens the relationships China has with other nations across the world and raises its standing globally. It gives us a different positive perspective about China that it's not all about commercial interests but we should care about humanity," he said.
Ma has also been lauded for launching an online platform that nurses and doctors from across the world can use to exchange ideas, knowledge and lessons on how to fight COVID-19.
