A Kitengela-based textile company on Sunday donated 6,000 face masks to the local prison to help in curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Some 1,500 masks will go to the Kitengela G.K prison while the rest will be given for free to residents of Kitengela town and nearby Athi River.
Migori Garments Ltd director Paul Juma handed over the donation to the prison’s officials led by the deputy in charge superintendent Moses Kibunei.
The firm also donated sanitisers and water tanks for hand-washing as part of their community social responsibility in the fight against Covid-19.
The officers picked the items from the company’s factory located a few metres from the institution following the government’s ban on visits to prisons.
Juma said they considered the prison because inmates were more vulnerable to coronavirus infections.
He said the re-usable masks were enough to serve the prison’s population, both inmates and staff. There are 659 inmates and 372 staff members at the facility.
“We deal in the production of knitted, woven, and non-woven garments. We thought it was wise to donate the items as our contribution towards combating the spread of coronavirus," Juma said.
Among residents targeted are boda boda riders, mama mboga traders and pedestrians especially women and children.
Kibunei said prisons are have unique populations that need to be given great care, attention, and support.
“We are dealing with a vulnerable group, the prisoners. We thank our neighbours Migori Garments Limited for the great gesture they have shown us,” Kibunei said.
He said it was their duty as prison officers to take good care of the inmates at all times, including times of pandemics like the Covid-19 disease.
“So when we are supported by partners like Migori Garments Ltd, we really appreciate it since this goes a long way in assisting us to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Inmates are people too and at the end of the day they will get back to the society outside there. Ours is to ensure they return home healthy,” Kibunei said.