Nairobi residents, some with face masks to curb spread of the deadly
coronavirus, queue to board matatus at the Tom Mboya Street and Latema
Road junction in on April 8, 2020. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA
GROUP
Corporates under the Kenya chapter of the
National Business Compact Coalition have raised more than Sh70 million
as to support the government’s efforts to fight the coronavirus
pandemic.
The donation,
both cash and in-kind, was by Reckitt and Benckiser, PZ Cussons, Live
Ad, Unilever, Menengai, Copia, Rotary International, Johnson and
Johnson, Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), Twiga, Chandaria and
Microsoft.
Edward Oswe,
the chief executive officer of Marketing Society of Kenya (MSK), which
convened the coalition said that as these organisations continue to
donate funds, talent, flight time on media channels, agile working
software, products such as soap and sanitisers among other in-kind
support, more corporates should join the cause.
“More
organisations should come on board with in-kind and financial support
for the initiative which will go a long way in enabling the business
community play its role," he said.
"Flexible
Fund has been established, and is led by Amref with oversight from the
Kenya Red Cross Society, the UN SDG Partnership Platform, Kenya
Association of Manufacturers and the MSK, to receive and oversee the
rapid response to urgent government requests."
EDUCATION
MSK chairman Pheodor Njoroge
noted that the Ministry of Health’s focus is to collaborate with the
Kenya Business Compact to win the fight against Covid-19.
As
such, Mr Njoroge said, promoting and educating Kenyans in applying good
health practices is a key government strategy towards ensuring the
public is safe.
He
noted that with the uncertainty which the Covid-19 brings Kenya and the
rest of the world, there is no better way to sensitise the public about
the lifesaving practices of handwashing through brands whose business it
is to promote basic hygiene.
“Through
their marketing practices and collective thought process on the agenda,
we believe the initiative will have an impact and will play a valuable
role in helping the country to remain safe during the pandemic," he
said.
"The Kenya
Business Compact is working closely with renowned hand-washing expert
Myriam Sidibe who continues to voice the need and urgent local action to
fight this global pandemic."
UNITED FRONT
Ms
Sidibe believes the business community must stand up immediately and
commit to responsible marketing practices and support efforts to
accelerate national handwashing campaigns and other preventative
solutions.
Mr Oswe,
even so, reiterated their appeal to local and international
organisations in Kenya to come on board, donate and contribute towards
the fight to contain and stop the pandemic.
The
National Business Compact was convened by the MSK and launched on March
16 by the Ministry of Health to mobilise action and the support of
corporates in countering the pandemic.
It
comprises brands in the hygiene business, the Kenya Association of
Manufacturers, Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Public Relations Society
of Kenya, Amref, SDG Partnership Platform and the United Nations family
in Kenya.
Its mandate is to accelerate local action and support government efforts in countering the contagion.
CONTACTS
Organisations willing to donate may reach the National Business Compact via email address info@covid19businessresponse.ke or phone number 0110 012 725.
They can also contact the Marketing Society of Kenya using email address info@msk.co.ke or mobile number 0792,001,391.
The Paybill number for contributions is 344555 – National Business Compact Fund
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