China puts smile on Mathare learners with Sh11m school facelift, scholarships

Beijing has supported the school in Mathare for 18 years

by MOSES OGADA

Nairobi25 November 2025 - 14:00

In Summary

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan led the awards ceremony, which also saw MCEDO Beijing School get sports and firefighting equipment.
China has supported the school in the heart of Mathare for 18 years, transforming the lives of thousands of children from one of Nairobi’s most challenging constituencies

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Chinese community in Kenya on Tuesday donated Sh11 million for upgrading a school in Mathare slums.

The amount will go into infrastructure upgrades at Mcedo Beijing School and help with supplies of science apparatus among other essentials.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan led the awards ceremony, handing scholarships to 20 outstanding learners.

China has supported the school in the heart of Mathare for 18 years, transforming the lives of thousands of children from one of Nairobi’s most challenging constituencies.

The school, run by the Mathare Community Education and Development Organisation (MCEDO), underwent renovations recently got a fresh coat of paint, an improved lighting system, tiled floors in all classrooms, and roof repairs.

It was also equipped with new lockers, chairs, fire extinguishers, and desks, an upgrade, its director Bennedict Kiage said, that has greatly improved safety, beauty, and dignity of the learning environment.

“We appreciate the additional learning and welfare resources China has provided – textbooks, science practicals apparatus, school printer, and Macintosh bedding for pre-primary learners,” he said.

“These items strengthen both learning and the comfort of our youngest children,” Kiage added before Ambassador Guo presented the school with the Sh11 million cheque.

In 2023, three MCEDO learners were supported to study in different universities in China. In 2024, 37 scholarships were awarded to learners at the school.

This year, another 20 scholarships have been provided to assist the learners in advancing their education. “This continued support has opened doors to a brighter future for many children in Mathare,” Kiage said.

The ceremony, marked by the inauguration of the major school renovations, spoke to a deep, familial bond between the institution and its Chinese benefactors.

“Your support goes beyond facilities and equipment,” Kiage stated.

“It represents hope, opportunity, and a strong belief in the potential of every learner at Mcedo Beijing School.”

The gesture was hailed as a smaller part of the growing bilateral ties between Kenya and China.

In her remarks, Ambassador Guo echoed the sentiment of a shared family, noting that while it was her first visit, she had long heard about the school.

She added that its development has always been “close to the hearts of the Chinese Embassy and Chinese enterprises in Kenya.”

“In a sense, we have long been one family,” the Ambassador said, applauding the school’s remarkable journey.

She highlighted the outstanding achievements of its students, from gaining admission to top Kenyan universities like the University of Nairobi and winning Chinese government scholarships, to excelling in academic competitions and on the soccer field with the school’s girls' team, the "Beijing Raiders."

Ambassador Guo positioned the school’s success within the broader, flourishing context of China-Kenya relations.

She described the ties as being “at their best time since the establishment of diplomatic ties.”

She referenced the successful state visit of President William Ruto to China in April where a landmark decision was made to elevate bilateral relations to a “China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era.”

“The journey of MCEDO Beijing School is not only the story of self-reliance and perseverance but also the epitome of China-Kenya friendly cooperation and the vivid example of the profound bond between our two peoples,” she said.

Chinese Embassy and the Kenya-China Economic Trade Association (KCETA) are committed to continue their support to the school.

The story of MCEDO Beijing School is increasingly an inspiring chapter in the larger narrative of China-Africa friendship.

It has been hailed as having demonstrated how international partnership, rooted in mutual respect and genuine commitment, can give hope and opportunity for generations to come.

The initiative started in 2007, and the embassy says it will continue to provide support and ensure the school is doing well.

Ambassador Guo said, “The youths are the future of the world, and China is paying attention to education as a platform to attain development. In the new era, it is a driving force of our development, and it is a vital pillar of our bilateral relations.”

China has granted more than 2,000 Kenyans scholarships of various sorts. It has openings for 200 slots to support Master students.