Kenya on Saturday received 200,000 doses of the Chinese-manufactured Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to boost its fight against the virus.

The consignment was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Susan Mochache.

"Although this consignment has been delivered courtesy of our strong bilateral relations, Sinopharm is also available through the Government of Kenya engagement with the COVAX mechanism & we shall be getting more supplies through that platform in the near future," said Mochahe.

She also noted that the two-dose vaccine, which requires storage conditions of between 2 to 8 degrees Celcius, will fit in well in the current cold chain storage capacity available in the country.

"The vaccines we are receiving today are testament to the cordial relations that exist between our two countries that extend beyond health care to include trade and other sectors of development," said Mochache, while extending her country's gratitude to the government of China for its contribution to Kenya's vaccination exercise.

Also present at the reception ceremony was Zhang Yijun, the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Kenya.