This archive report was first published on 1 August 2019.
On July 30, 2019, a container tagged 'diplomatic goods' arrived at Parliament Square in Nairobi, but to the surprise of officials, it was found to be empty after the seals were opened.
The container was meant to deliver laptops and computer projectors donated by the National People's Congress of China, and the consignment was to be delivered through the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.
According to Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai, the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi had contracted a company called M/S Bollore Africa Transport & Logistics Ltd to deliver the consignment.
Mr. Sialai confirmed in a statement that the container was indeed delivered as expected, but upon opening the seals, it was found to be empty.
He stated, 'Indeed a container arrived at Parliament Square on July 30, 2019, whence I appointed some officers from the National Assembly to confirm the delivery as per the correspondence from the consignee (Chinese Embassy),'
He added, 'Upon opening of the container seals, the container was confirmed to have been empty. Both the agent and our officers brought this matter to my attention and I made a decision that the DCI officers attached to the Parliament Road Police Station be informed of this development, which was done promptly.'
As a result, the DCI officers are reported to have informed the Chinese Embassy, and the matter is now under investigation.
The donation was made during a visit to Nairobi by the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and a delegation of Chinese officials on April 13, 2019.
