Nairobi 30th March 2020…. Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has partnered with Amref Health Africa (Amref) and Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) to distribute 135,000 litres of sanitizer to vulnerable populations and those at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
The move follows the appeal by the government to all citizens – individual and corporate – to play their part in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
KBL engaged certified sanitiser producers to produce 1,000, 250 pieces of 100 ml sanitisers and 500 pieces of five-litre bottles, which will be shared between Amref Health Africa and KRCS for distribution in Nairobi specifically to the informal settlements of Kibera, Mukuru, Mathare and Kawangware and Kondele and Obunga in Kisumu.
“KBL has been following the conversation on the Coronavirus outbreak and we have been exploring ways in which the company can support the country in dealing with the pandemic. We have observed that while hand washing is a basic precaution against the coronavirus, millions of people in informal settlements are at heightened risk of contracting the coronavirus due to the lack of proper sanitation and running water. We aim to provide these sanitisers free of charge and ensure they get to the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said KBL MD Jane Karuku.
KRCS and Amref Health Africa will be responsible for the prompt supervision, monitoring and coordination of the distribution process.
“An adequate response to the COVID19 pandemic must be a whole of society approach. To win the war and flatten the transmission curve, we must observe public health measures as advised including physical distancing and handwashing with running water and soap. But we are also aware that in some instances, hand washing with soap and water may not be practically possible and as such, the need for alcohol-based sanitisers arise and this may be the case in many of our informal settlements as well as workplaces and public transport. This donation, therefore, comes at a crucial time in our response and I want to thank Kenya Breweries and the Diageo Group. These are extraordinary times and no one can do it alone,” Amref Health Africa CEO, Dr Githinji Gitahi.
“We are all aware of the challenges faced by people in informal settlements with regard to access to sanitation facilities and this makes them highly vulnerable to contract COVID-19. This donation is therefore timely.” Dr Asha Mohammed, Secretary-General, Kenya Red Cross Society
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About KBL KBL has been a leading manufacturer in Kenya since it began operations in 1922.
Key brands include Tusker Lager which is the flagship brand, Tusker Malt Lager, Pilsner, White Cap, White Cap Light, Senator, Guinness, Allsopps and President Lager.
About Amref Health Africa Amref Health Africa, headquartered in Kenya, is the largest Africa based International Non-Governmental Organisation (INGO) currently running programmes in over 35 countries in Africa with lessons learnt over 60 years of engagement with governments, communities and partners to increase sustainable health access in Africa.
Amref Health Africa also incorporates programme development, fundraising, partnership, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and has offices in Europe and North America as well as subsidiaries: Amref Flying Doctors, Amref Enterprises and the Amref International University.