The Kenyan government on Tuesday appealed to the Chinese government to assist in the construction of dams in areas which experience harsh climatic conditions, noting that the rain-fed agriculture was not reliable in most cases.

Kenyan Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka also said the Kenyan government was putting in place proper mechanisms aimed at reducing the poverty levels besides containing hunger that has hit many parts of the country.

Musyoka who received the new Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Deng Hongbo further urged China to help Kenya in the field of infrastructure and generation of energy, noting that this will go a long way in the general development of the country.

The Kenyan VP said it was only through the development of agriculture that the poverty levels and hunger in the country could be contained.

"It is through the construction of dams that we can eliminate the problem of hunger besides reducing the poverty levels in this country," said Musyoka.

The Vice President also hailed the existing cordial relations between the two countries, and assured that Kenya will continue to cooperate with China to deepen democratic practices besides improving the trading activities between the two countries.

"I must admit that bilateral relations between Kenya and China are growing strong and I am sure with this kind of gesture, our relations will continue to grow stronger in many fields," he said.

Musyoka who is also the Minister for Home Affairs asked the people of the two countries to take advantage of the existing good relations to exploit their potentiality in business.

"I am sure our trade links will continue to improve for the benefit of the people of our two countries," he said. Speaking during the meeting, Deng commended the efforts by the Kenya to improve the country's economy with a view to raising the living standards of her people.

"That Kenya is doing through its Vision 2030 demonstrates its seriousness in the fight against poverty and the improvement of the living conditions of her people," said the Chinese envoy.

He said it was only through trade links and cultural exchange that citizens from the two countries could exploit their potentials in commerce and other development activities.

(Xinhua News Agency August 4, 2009)