"Having worked with the Chinese people, we have developed close ties and friendships with them and some of our members of staff were in Wuhan as recently as four months ago for training sponsored by our company, and that is why we are ready to offer them any support we can," Kinyanjui said. "Our message to the Chinese people is that it shall be well. We have confidence they will find a solution and we guarantee them our support in any way we can. "

Elsewhere in Nairobi's Mathare slums, the Dreams Building Services Association, which works with the Chinese government and businesses to provide daily lunch for nine schools in the slum, also organized a show of solidarity with the Chinese people.

On Jan 6, students from schools supported by China through the DBSA marched through the slum to express their unity with the people of China and raise awareness among locals about the challenge facing Chinese people.

Speaking after the event, Loice Abanga, program officer for DBSA, said the students and their parents managed to raise some funds to help.

"The Chinese community in Kenya has always been ready to help our children in the slums, and that is why during this time of hardship, we want to assure them we stand with them, we wish quick recovery to the infected and send our condolences to the bereaved families," Abanga said.

According to Li, Afristar has bought infrared thermometers and 1,000 masks which will be used to protect their passengers and staff if necessary. The company has also acquired disinfectant to clean out stations and carriages.