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.