The government on Monday distributed 2, 328 litres of free hand sanitisers in Makueni County to bolster efforts in the fight against Covid-19.
The alcohol based sanitisers were distributed by Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) in conjunction with the East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL).
The KPC Corporate Communications Manager, Jason Nyatino said the sanitisers would be distributed to residents living in informal settlements and those that could not afford to buy them.
“This is the government’s gesture in response to coronavirus that has continued to ravage not only Kenya but the whole world. The target is informal settlements and people who cannot ordinarily afford sanitisers,” said Nyatino.
Speaking at the county headquarters in Wote town when he delivered the consignment, the communications manager said KPC had been tasked with production and distribution of the free sanitisers whilst EABL was providing logistical support.
“EABL has provided vans, trucks and storage facilities for free. We have already covered several counties. Today we are in Makueni and our hope is to reach many more,” he said.
The Area EABL Business Development Manager, Augustine Wekesa said the exercise targets to deliver 135, 000 litres of the free sanitisers across the country.
Wekesa emphasized on the need to have products that meet the safety requirements.
“Our target is counties that are at high risk and people that do not have access to water,” he said.
The Makueni County Commissioner (CC), Maalim Mohammed assured residents of transparency during the distribution of the free sanitisers.
Maalim however, said priority would be given to boda bodas, prisons, matatu termini, markets, police stations, Huduma centre and several stop overs along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.
The CC warned residents against consuming the sanitisers.“There are those that will think that because the free sanitisers have 80 percent ethanol they can drink it. It’s unfit for human consumption and highly flammable,” he added.
Maalim called on other well-wishers to help in the production and distribution of free hand sanitisers to fight the spread against coronavirus.
He asked residents to continue adhering to the guidelines given by the government and warned that those defying the directives would be held accountable.
The CC said so far 34 revelers and 12 bar owners in the county had been arrested for defying the ban on bar operations.
“They will be arraigned in court and the bar owners will have their licenses revoked for good,” added Maalim.
By Roselyne Kavoo
