The Kenya Police National Sacco has set a good example to other institutions by donating Covid-19 prevention materials to police officers in Turkana County.
Led by the Sacco Chairman, David Mategwa and the Chief Executive Officer, Solomon Atsya, they donated gloves, face masks and sanitizer to the Turkana Deputy County Police Commander, Alfred Nthiga in Lodwar on Tuesday.
“As a Sacco we have donated 480,000 gloves, 200,000 masks and 40,000 bottles (250ml) of sanitizer that will be distributed to police officers in all the 47 counties,” said Mategwa.
He said the materials they have distributed to Turkana County are adequate for all police officers.
He noted the unique geographical position of Turkana County which borders Ethiopia, Uganda and South Sudan, saying the donation would goa long way in fighting the spread of Coronavirus.
He said police are among first responders and needed to be protected while dealing with members of the public.
The Chairman cited incidents where some members of the public had refused to be arrested by police officers who did not have masks and gloves, saying the interventions by the Sacco would help resolve that problem.
“We are also reminding members of the public that wearing masks is for their own good and they are not doing it to please police officers,” said Mategwa as he urged members of the public to follow safety guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.
The guidelines include washing hands with soap, observing social distancing and wearing masks.
Mategwa also revealed that the Sacco’s board has reduced its interest rates on existing and new loans to cushion its members during these difficult times.
Speaking when he received the materials on behalf of the police officers, Nthiga commended the Sacco for their donations saying it would boost the fight against the global pandemic.
“We are very happy for the good work of the Kenya Police Sacco who have donated these preventive materials, we urge them to continue doing the same,” said the deputy police commander.
At the same time, Mategwa lauded the work of journalists in educating members of the public on the infectious disease.
“The media are in the frontline in fighting the coronavirus and they need to be recognized and appreciated although many times their efforts go unnoticed,” said the chairman.
By Peter Gitonga
