In a reversal of roles, Kenya wants to supply aid to the United States.
And the US says it is considering accepting Kenya's offer to send a fire boom to contain and burn some of the oil that has been spilling into the Gulf of Mexico for more than two months.
But unlike the free assistance the US gives in response to disasters, Kenya wants to be paid for its fire boom. But the country is not alone in seeking reimbursement for helping to contain and clean up the mammoth oil spill.
The State Department on Tuesday said that 27 countries had offered to help the US address the environmental disaster, with almost every offer carrying a price tag.
So far, offers from 12 countries and international bodies have been accepted. The State Department says it is still considering the other offers, including Kenya's.
Kenya is the second African nation after Tunisia, to offer help. And a fire boom might prove quite useful.
"The National Incident Command and the Federal On Scene Coordinator have determined that there is a resource need for boom and skimmers that can be met by offers of assistance from foreign governments and international bodies," the State Department said.
The Press-Register, a newspaper in Alabama, reported on Monday that no fire booms were immediately available after BP's oil rig blew up and millions of gallons of oil started cascading into the Gulf.
allAfrica.com: Kenya: Country Offers to Help Clean Up U.S. Oil Spill
And the US says it is considering accepting Kenya's offer to send a fire boom to contain and burn some of the oil that has been spilling into the Gulf of Mexico for more than two months.
But unlike the free assistance the US gives in response to disasters, Kenya wants to be paid for its fire boom. But the country is not alone in seeking reimbursement for helping to contain and clean up the mammoth oil spill.
The State Department on Tuesday said that 27 countries had offered to help the US address the environmental disaster, with almost every offer carrying a price tag.
So far, offers from 12 countries and international bodies have been accepted. The State Department says it is still considering the other offers, including Kenya's.
Kenya is the second African nation after Tunisia, to offer help. And a fire boom might prove quite useful.
"The National Incident Command and the Federal On Scene Coordinator have determined that there is a resource need for boom and skimmers that can be met by offers of assistance from foreign governments and international bodies," the State Department said.
The Press-Register, a newspaper in Alabama, reported on Monday that no fire booms were immediately available after BP's oil rig blew up and millions of gallons of oil started cascading into the Gulf.
allAfrica.com: Kenya: Country Offers to Help Clean Up U.S. Oil Spill
