The Chinese government Friday handed over five computers to the Kenya Meteorological Department in an effort to help improve the research capability of the institution.

The computers were presented by Chinese Ambassador in Kenya Du Qiwen to Joseph Mukabana, Director of the Kenya Meteorological Department and Permanent Representative of Kenya with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Present on the occasion were officials from Kenya's Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, WMO Sub-Region Office and the Kenya Meteorological Department.

At the ceremony, S. Njoroge, program officer of the WMO Sub- Regional Office, spoke highly of the Chinese government as an active partner to the WMO Voluntary Cooperation Program.

Computer equipment presented by China to the meteorological departments in other African countries, including Uganda.html target=_blank>Uganda and Djibouti, has already brought benefits to the public as well as local social and economic development, he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chinese Ambassador Du said China and Kenya have made great progress in bilateral cooperation in such fields as politics, economy, culture, science and technology.

The donation of the computers to the Kenya Meteorological Department is another manifestation of such progress between the two countries, he said.

Meanwhile, Mukabana said the computers presented by the Chinese government will help strengthen the research work in his department and will surely improve their services.

(People’s Daily 03/03/2001)