Safaricom Foundation donates hand washing soap to six counties

Over ten thousand residents of Nyeri, Nyandarua, Laikipia , Nakuru, Makueni and Uasin Gishu counties  will receive three months supply of soap from the Safaricom Foundation.  The initiative is being implemented in partnership with non-profit faith-based mission organisation – 410 Bridge International. It targets residents in eight villages across the six counties.

“Among the main preventative measures, such as social distancing, proper hand hygiene remains one of the most powerful tools to combat the spread of Covid-19,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.  “However, it must be done properly with soap and water and that is why we are supporting 410 Bridge International in its endeavour to spread this message”, he added.

 “Hand washing with soap and water is an effective way to stop the spread of not only Covid-19, but also other viral illnesses. We hope that the donation will help reduce the spread of the virus in the areas that will benefit,” said Jacob Njagi, senior director, 410 Bridge International.    

Safaricom Foundation has recently helped in  setting  up sanitation booths in six counties of Nyanza and Western regions, besides providing water to residents of Kibera, Mathare, Kawangware and Korogocho low income residential areas  in Nairobi. The Foundation has also donated personal protective equipment to health workers in Mombasa and Uasin Gishu Counties.

 In April, Safaricom donated Kshs. 200 million through the Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations in support of cash transfers for the purchase of food among vulnerable communities. It also donated thermal cameras worth Kshs. 10 million to the Ministry of Health for installation in various border entry points.