Chinese embrace social responsibility in Kenya

Enterprises help local communities in such areas as education, water storage and conservation

In efforts to realize long-term sustainable development in Kenya, Chinese enterprises have been actively involved in corporate social responsibility activities.

Under the Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association, an umbrella body founded in 2001, the enterprises have made a mark on the lives of local communities through job creation, skills transfer, education improvement and ecological protection. This is in addition to protecting labor rights and the interests of local employees.

In November 2012, for instance, the KCETA organized its member enterprises and other Chinese institutions in Kenya to donate $58,140 to fund the expansion of the MCEDO Beijing School in the Mathare slum of Nairobi to address its lack of educational resources.

According to Jacob De Kiahe, the school's deputy CEO, the expansion saw the school increase its enrolment capacity from 360 to 385 students. It also added a middle-school section with 128 students.

"The expansion and development of the school raised awareness of the importance of education in the community. Many students have been motivated to advance their education to college level, thereby getting employment and consequently improving the living standards of their families," De Kiahe says.

The KCETA enterprises have also helped local communities to drill wells and build water storage facilities. Because of the climatic conditions, many places in Kenya experience water shortages, especially during the dry season.

At such a time, local communities rely on wells and water storage facilities such as tanks or ponds for their water supply. However, the cost of constructing such facilities is beyond the reach of local residents.

The enterprises have also participated in wildlife conservation campaigns. KCETA has so far donated $37,000 to the Kenya Wildlife Service and $10,500 to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy activities.

Because Chinese companies have been targets of suspicion by some in the West, the KCETA has published the "2017 Chinese Enterprises in Kenya Social Responsibility" report, which highlights various activities undertaken by Chinese enterprises last year. The report covers the activities of 73 companies affiliated with the KCETA.

"Chinese enterprises in Kenya have had to endure prejudicial treatment when undertaking normal commercial activities, and are even labeled as 'neo-colonialists', casting a shadow over the China-Kenya relationship," the report says.

To guarantee stable, long-term growth in Kenya, a realistic strategy is to uphold social responsibility during business operations, create a positive external environment and reduce friction and operational risks as well as earn community trust, it says.

Yu Zhihong, the chief expert at Golden Bee (Beijing) Management Co, says the report will help Chinese enterprises in Kenya to better communicate with their stakeholders.

This will help to provide a different perspective and address their concerns, paving the way for better China-Kenya cooperation in the future.

"I hope the report will encourage more Chinese enterprises to proactively fulfill their social responsibilities and engage their stakeholders in a search for ways to fully integrate with local communities, achieve win-win development and create a bright future for all," Yu says.

According to Liu Xianfa, the Chinese ambassador to Kenya, the country-a historical destination and a natural extension of the Maritime Silk Road - has become the first stop for Chinese enterprises seeking to invest in Africa.

"The cooperation between China and Kenya is now an outstanding showcase in Sino-African cooperation," he says.

Guo Ce, the economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese embassy in Kenya, says Chinese enterprises have made a good start on fulfilling social responsibility in Kenya through launching the report.

"Chinese enterprises will insist on the Silk Road spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit, in order to help consolidate friendship between China and Kenya," he says.

Farida Abbas, CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Kenya, congratulates the Chinese enterprises for touching many Kenyan lives through their corporate social responsibility activities.

Corporate social responsibility "is a key aspect for many organizations. When companies give back to the community, it makes a big difference," she says.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily Africa Weekly 06/30/2017 page27)