Kenyan female train drivers Concilia (L), Alice (C) and Wendy communicate on board the driving cab of a locomotive in Nairobi, Kenya, May 17, 2017. Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway connecting Mombasa with Nairobi is going to be inaugurated on May 31 with the country's first female train drivers operating the first passenger train for their President Uhuru Kenyatta. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)
by Christine Lagat
NAIROBI, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Chinese firms that have invested in Kenya have revised the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as evidenced by their active engagement in activities that boost living standards of local people, says a report launched in Nairobi on Wednesday.
The 2017 Chinese enterprises in Kenya social responsibility report reveals that companies from the Asian giant have made a mark in the lives of local communities through job creation, skills transfer and ecological protection.
Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa, executives from Chinese firms and the head of Kenya's private sector lobby attended the launch of the inaugural social responsibility report prepared by Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA).
In his opening remarks, Liu noted that Chinese enterprises have been at the forefront of Kenya's transformation through investments in projects that are attuned to the needs of local people and their surrounding environment.
"Chinese companies proactively carry out social responsibility, comply with laws and regulations and integrate the sustainable development goals into their activities," said Liu, adding that Chinese firms in Kenya have hired more than 42,000 local employees which represents 87 percent of their total workforce.
The 2017 social responsibility report covered the activities of 73 companies that are affiliated with Kenya Economic and Trade Association.
Chinese technician Liu Xingze (L, front) works with Kenyan staff members at the Lamu port project, Kenya, on May 10, 2017. The first three berths of the Lamu port project, constructed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), is located in Manda Bay, northeastern part of Kenya. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)
It revealed that Chinese enterprises that have invested in key sectors of the Kenyan economy like infrastructure, manufacturing and ICT have fully integrated social responsibility in key operations.
"Chinese firms will be able to meet the development needs of Kenya's society and economy with more clarity, more broadly reviewing win-win outcomes through business development while upholding social responsibility," said the report.
It added that Chinese firms are committed to help Kenya realize its potential while cultivating harmonious relationship with local communities.
Chairman of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Nick Nesbitt hailed the contribution of Chinese enterprises towards realization of a new vision for growth and social renewal in the East Africa's largest economy.
"Chinese companies have made a positive contribution towards Kenya's socio-economic development. They are providing jobs and resources required to transform under-developed regions," Nesbitt told Xinhua.
He added that Chinese enterprises that have invested in Kenya present a socially and ecologically conscious business model worth emulating.
