Safe Hands Kenya Launches Unique Approach to Combat COVID-19

A number of companies including DOB Equity’s portfolio companies Twiga, Copia and M-kopa have come together to launch the Safe Hands Kenya campaign that aims to distribute free soap, sanitizers, surface disinfectant and masks to Kenyans.

In a statement by Safe Hands Kenya, a nationwide marketing campaign will be rolled out in parallel to motivate behaviour change and inform people about practical and immediate measures they can take to stay safe and slow the spread of the virus.

The initiative is a homegrown blueprint for the particular challenges presented by COVID-19 in Kenya and other developing countries. Extreme social distancing measures being implemented around the globe are very difficult to implement within the African context, where many families live in close proximity and need to leave their homes to work in order to meet the basic needs of their families. The impact of COVID-19 could therefore be devastating.

The immediate provision of the tools for rapid mass sanitation (soap, hand sanitizer, surface disinfectant and face masks), along with the motivation and behaviour change education to adopt and use them regularly, is the most effective way to keep people safe and society functioning.

The coalition includes technology-based distribution companies, input suppliers, manufacturers, media houses and community organisations and has assembled a full-time project team that includes experts across supply chains, user experience and behavioural change.  Distribution has commenced and will scale over the coming weeks and months.

Here is a short video detailing the initiative