Gov’t Begins Distributing Free Hand Sanitizers to Kenyans in War Against Covid-19

The government has begun distributing free alcohol-based hand sanitizers to Kenyans countrywide as part of the measures to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The hand sanitizers have been manufactured by various private and public sector players in collaboration with the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC), which supplied them with free ethanol that had been seized under offenses at various ports of entry.

A total of 130,000 liters of free hand sanitizers will be distributed for free across the country with priority being given to counties that have recorded cases of Covid-19 including Nairobi, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, and Kajiado.

The products have been packed into 500ml bottles for family use and 20-liter containers for institutions such as health facilities, police stations, and markets.

“In less than two weeks, KPC, oil marketing companies and other players have produced over 130,000 litres of free hand sanitizers to benefit Kenya’s most vulnerable people. This will go a long way in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in the country,” said KPC Managing Director Macharia Irungu.

President Kenyatta tasked KPC to oversee the production alcohol-based sanitizer for free distribution to the public in a letter dated March 18th.

The main target is Kenyans living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, Thika, Nakuru, and other towns.

Different partners including East African Breweries, Bollore Logistics, and Maersk Kenya have offered to distribute the sanitizers nationwide at no cost.

93,000 liters have already been released to Nairobi, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Nakuru, Siaya, Kajiado, Kiambu, Muranga, Makueni and Machakos.