Mombasa-based edible oil and soap maker Pwani Oil has provided 122 handwashing kits and 70 cartons of soap to be distributed to medical personnel in eleven counties in the ongoing effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The health facilities set to benefit from this initiative include Kenyatta National Hospital, Mama Lucy Hospital and Mathari Referral Hospital in Nairobi.

Others are Coast General Hospital in Mombasa, Nakuru Provincial General Hospital and the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital in Kisumu.

Various county referral hospitals in Meru, Kirinyaga, Garissa, Kisii, Kakamega and Tana River counties will also receive a total of 122 handwashing kits.

Five sub-county hospitals in Kwale will get 20 handwashing kits combined. 

The donation was handed over to the Kenya Progressive Nurses Association (KPNA) officials at the Coast General Hospital by Pwani Oil Commercial Director Rajul Malde.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Malde said Pwani Oil is committed to partnering with various stakeholders to prevent the spread of COVID-19 disease in Kenya.

Twenty-eight cases of COVID-19 have so far been confirmed in the country.

“We recognize that our health workers including nurses are at the frontline of providing care to patients and therefore need all the support they can get during this critical period,” said Mr. Malde.

Mr. Malde further revealed that as part of Pwani Oil’s contribution to the ongoing effort to tame COVID, the company has donated 20 hand washing kits to police in Kilifi County.

The kits were officially handed over to Kilifi County police Mohammed Wako in Kikambala town today.

Speaking on behalf of the nurses’ association, National Secretary Mrs Triza Ireri thanked Pwani Oil for the gesture saying it will help improve the working conditions of its members.

“This is a difficult and challenging period for all of us and the gesture by Pwani Oil is therefore timely. I urge all Kenyans to embrace personal hygiene as a powerful weapon against the deadly virus and also exercise social distancing at all times,” said Mrs. Ireri

Last week, Pwani Oil donated 150 handwashing kits to be used by the public in various major urban areas in the country.

It has also partnered with the Kenya Ferry Services to provide soap at strategic entry points for use by thousands of commuters who use the ferry service daily.

Commuters in Mombasa will now be forced to dig deep into their pockets as matatu owners hike fares due to the new regulations set by government on the public transport system.

The new regulations were aimed at mitigating spread of the coronavirus.

Fares from Bamburi to Ferry and Docks will now be Sh100, up from the Sh80. Tudor-Ferry/Docks route will now charge Sh50, up from Sh40.

Those plying the Mtwapa route will pay Sh120 to posta ( GPO), up from Sh100.

According to Matatu Owners Association Coast coordinator Salim Mbarak the new prices are the 'lowest' in the country.

According to the new guidelines, 14-seater matatus are expected to carry a maximum of eight passengers,  25-seater vehicles a maximum of 15 passengers, 30 seater vehicles and above to maintain a sixty per cent maximum of sitting capacity.

Other areas that have also hiked fares are Nairobi, Central and Nyanza.

This comes just few days after matatu owners called on the government to reduce fuel prices and also provide them with sanitizers or ensure they are affordable.

Kenya Breweries has unveiled a new pack design for its WhiteCap Lager brand.

The new WhiteCap Lager pack includes a redesigned logo adapted from its original, historic form, which proudly highlights its 70-year heritage.

As one of the most storied brands in the Kenya Breweries portfolio, it was felt that the time was right to elevate the livery of the WhiteCap.

The new pack also represents a reinforcement of KBL’s strategy of positioning WhiteCap Lager as the leading local premium beer, as well as keeping up with the evolving needs of its customer base.

Speaking about the significance of this rebrand, EABL’s Head of Marketing Beer, AnnJoy Muhoro said, “This exercise is the product of a lot of research and numerous conversations with our consumers. Premium brands all across the globe are evolving, as far as positioning is concerned.

Adding "Packaging is and continues to be a major trailblazer in terms of brand perception and value creation to consumers. This is what we sought to achieve with our repackaging of WhiteCap Lager.”

WhiteCap Lager which already offers high quality distinctive taste, is now available in a sleek new glass bottle and will continue to retail at the same price of KES. 170 for the 500ml bottle.

KBL reported that the initial consumer feedback on the new pack was very positive. “The groups that we spoke to all gave us a unified response; that the time was right for WhiteCap Lager as a premium brand to shake things up and break new ground for premium beer in Kenya,” Ms Muhoro added.

This repackaging will also serve as a welcome refresh to provide some excitement for longtime consumers of WhiteCap Lager as well as provide a unique opportunity for a new generation of beer drinkers.

In addition to the new design, there are structural changes to the packaging of the WhiteCap bottle which consumers will notice right away.

The can format will also undergo a transformation later in the year into a new premium, more progressive look. Customers have an exciting new visual identity for the canned WhiteCap lager to look forward to.

Commenting on the new pack, Alice Owambo, Emerging Beers Marketing Manager, said, “Design is absolutely integral for any brand and as a beer with 70 years of heritage, we do not take redesigns lightly"

"We are incredibly proud of the new direction the brand aesthetic is taking, highlighting our Kenyan heritage but also modernising WhiteCap to lead consumers’ expectations of a premium brand.” she added.

WhiteCap Lager is one of Kenya’s oldest beer brands with a heritage spanning more than 70 years.

The refresh of a beer brand of WhiteCap’s pedigree is not only a significant milestone, but also a show of intent for the future.

ODM party leader Raila Odinga has rubbished claims that he met with Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi during his recent trip to Mombasa just a week ago.

In a statement, Odinga stated that he only met Mombasa Deputy Governor William Kingi during the trip.

"During the Mombasa visit, Mr. Odinga did not meet with any of the leaders of the Coastal counties or their deputies, except the Deputy Governor of Mombasa County Dr. William Kingi. He did not meet Deputy Governor of Kilifi County" reads the statement

Adding "Mr. Odinga appeals to the public to treat reports indicating otherwise as lies and malice".

Saburi is currently under quarantine for 14 days after coming back from Germany, one of the countries that has been hit by corona virus. 

Yesterday health CS Mutahi Kagwi revealed that Saburi will be charged for refusing to go into isolation after returning to the country from Germany.

Meanwhile Mombasa businessman and politician Suleiman Shahbal has said he will get tested for the virus and go on isolation, this is after he met Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi few days ago.

"The day after I met Hon Raila, I also bumped into Gov. Amazon Kingi at Moi international Airport, who was wearing a mask. Kingi had obviously met his Deputy. We remembered not to shake hands. I commended him for wearing a mask" said Shahbal

Adding "Just as Gov Kingi has now taken precautions and gone into self isolation, I too will immediately go to hospital today to be checked for Corona and I will immediately enter into self isolation for the 14 days starting from Thursday when I met Gov. Kingi"

Tanzanian crooner Diamond Platnumz and his team have been put under quarantine after his manager Sallam Mendez announced that he had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Among those who have been put under quarantine with Diamond Planumz are his dancers, videographer, video director and handlers.

The team has been put under quarantine because they were all in a trip abroad with the manager, Sallam mendez.

Last night, Diamond shared a live video on instagram of him and his team under quarantine with the caption "Our life under quarantine".

In the video, Diamond and team are seen enjoying seen enjoying some food together.

Meanwhile, Tanzanian rapper Mwana FA also came out yesterday announcing that he had tested positive for the disease.

The rapper revealed that he started feeling unwell after returning to Tanzania from South Africa just few days ago and decided to go and get tested for the new disease.

"I' am recording this video not to spread panic but to tell the public that coronavirus is real but its can also be treated."said the rapper in a video.

Adding " I decided to go for a check up after coming back from South Africa, my temperatures were very high and i was feeling unwell".

He becomes the second high profile personality in Tanzania to have tested positive for the disease after Sallam Mendez.

Tanzania has so far recorded a total of 6 cases.

The Cabinet today issued a warning to people spreading fake news on the Coronavirus situation in the country saying purveyors of such information will be dealt with in accordance with established laws.

The Cabinet meeting held today at State House, Nairobi and chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, directed law enforcement agencies to pursue and arrest individuals spreading false information on the disease.

Today's Cabinet sitting acknowledged the critical role played by the media in relaying proper information and thanked the Kenyan media for their leading role in awareness creation on the global pandemic.

Further, the Cabinet thanked media houses led by the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), whose platforms are being used to air educational programs for school children.

As part of concerted efforts by the Government to protect Kenyans from exploitation by wayward traders, the Cabinet directed security and consumer protection agencies to intensify the ongoing crack down on businesses that are taking advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak to hoard and/or hike commodity prices.

Additionally, the Cabinet tasked the multi-agency team on contraband goods to release 400,000 litres of ethanol held as exhibit material to manufacturers for the blending of hand sanitizers for distribution to the public.

Today's Cabinet meeting also received and discussed a report from the National Treasury on the projected impact of Coronavirus pandemic to the economy and resolved to align budgetary allocations and other fiscal considerations accordingly.

Further, the Cabinet discussed and agreed to a request by the African Union and the World Health Organization for Kenya to host the African Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Africa CDC).

The Africa CDC will position Kenya as a regional and continental hub in medical research and disease control, and give the country a head start in combating disease outbreaks like the current Coronavirus pandemic.

As part of its support towards the establishment of the Africa CDC in Kenya, the Chinese Government has offered to put up a twenty-one storey office building at an estimated cost of Kshs 8.3 billion. Once complete, Africa CDC will provide job opportunities to Kenyans in technical, administrative and support functions.

On pending bills, the Cabinet was briefed on the status of outstanding payments in the Prisons Department and the National Youth Service (NYS), and resolved to set up a Shs14 billion special fund to pay genuine suppliers.

Today's Cabinet meeting also discussed reforms at National Cereals and Produce Board and Strategic Food Reserve Trust Fund and directed the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury and Planning to wind up the Strategic Food Reserve Fund within 6 months in accordance with section 24(9) of the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and regulation 209 of the Public Finance Management (National Government) Regulations 2015.

The Cabinet also directed Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, and the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Planning to establish a National Food Reserve system which will procure receipts through competitive commercial processes using the Warehouse Receipt System so as to avoid market distortions.

It further directed the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture to prepare legislative reforms of the National Cereals and Produce Board to establish the National Food Reserve and NCPB Trading Divisions.

In addition, the Cabinet directed the Cabinet Secretaries for Agriculture and Treasury to take administrative steps to cause NCPB to cede at least 5 million bags or 25% of the current NCPB stock holding through commercial lease so as to spur growth of private sector roles and the Warehouse Receipt System operations.

Today's Cabinet meeting was also briefed on Wildlife Policy reforms and the ongoing restructuring of the civil aviation sector. The Cabinet approved the new National Civil Aviation Sector Management Bill. The Bill is part of bold steps being taken by the Government to position Kenya as Africa's leading aviation hub.