Manufacturers join hands to support frontline personnel and community

Manufacturers across the country have come together to support their communities in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.  

This is through the provision of essential items such as water storage tanks, hand-washing facilities, alcohol-based sanitizers and soaps, to create awareness on the importance of washing hands and facilitate the public actualize hygiene. The initiatives are part of the ongoing nation-wide hygiene campaign for Mwananchi to practice sanitary procedures in public and private spaces.  

The donations have been driven through the Association’s regional offices located across the country.

Nyanza/Western Region donated 100 water tanks and 50 boxes of soap to Kisumu County Government and the National Police Service in the county. Central Region gave ten 2300-litre tanks to Thika Water and Sanitation Company (THIWASCO) and 100 hand-washing kits to be used in Thika Town. Lower Eastern Region handed over 1,000 litres of hand sanitizers to the National Police Service in Machakos County. 

Coast Region gave 720 pieces of soap to the Kenya Ferry Services who will provide hand-washing stations to cater for ferry users on a daily basis. The region has also handed out 52 water tanks to the National Police Service Regional Headquarters in Mombasa County. Members in the Coast Region are also rolling out 150 hand-washing kits in major towns including Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyeri. 

North Rift Region handed out eight, 500 litre tanks fitted with taps for use in the police stations in Eldoret whereas South Rift Region has given 15 water tanks and 26 boxes of soap to the Nakuru County National Police Service Regional Headquarters.

The tanks and hand-washing facilities will enhance access to clean water for the police force and members of the public frequenting high traffic areas such as matatu termini, ferries and markets to wash their hands. 

Manufacturers are also reducing prices of essential products such as cooking oil, soaps and washable face masks to make them affordable during this difficult time.

KAM Chief Executive, Ms Phyllis Wakaiga noted that the nation would not have predicted the socio-economic impact of the virus, which calls for extraordinary measures.

She added, “We are working with industries across the country to bolster efforts towards creating awareness and effectuate frequent hand-washing across the country. This is in partnership with county governments, through our regional offices across the country. We have also developed and shared guidelines on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 with our members to ensure the safety of employees and partners.”

The Association has also provided a live database (www.directory.kam.co.ke) of locally manufactured finished goods to address any gaps that may stem from the shortage of finished products in the local market. We continue to urge producers, distributors and retailers to uphold existing contractual obligations, especially with regard to price controls for the sake of consumers. 

KAM has 7 regional offices spread across the country in Nairobi, Lower Eastern, Coast, Nyanza/Western, North Rift, South Rift and Central Regions that seek to strengthen operations at the grassroot level.