KENYA – East African Breweries Limited (EABL) has donated KSh50 million (US$468,000) to the Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Fund, supplementing its other efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus in Kenya.

The brewer had already spent Ksh50 million (US$0.47m) to fund the production of 135,000 litres of sanitizers by two Nairobi-based industries to distribute free sanitizers to vulnerable Kenyans.

The company also undertook a public awareness campaign to help fight the spread of Covid-19 printing posters for distribution to more than 40,000 outlets across Kenya.

EABL Group MD, Andrew Cowan, said the money would go directly to the Fund, whose efforts are concentrated on mitigating the impact of the coronavirus on the needy.

“At this critical time, with our country in the middle of the biggest crisis since independence, EABL continues to partner the Government of Kenya to combat the spread of Covid-19 disease, to save lives. We are pleased to complement Kenya COVID-19Emergency Fund’s role in helping frontline health workers and others in critical need during this time,” said Mr Cowan.

In March, EABL handed over a consignment to AMREF Health Africa and Kenya Red Cross Society for distribution to frontline health workers and vulnerable communities in the informal settlements of Kibera, Mukuru, Mathare and Kawangware in Nairobi and Kondele and Obunga in Kisumu.

The company also partnered with the Government and its agencies, such as the Kenya Pipeline Corporation, to distribute state-funded sanitiser across the country.

Through twin projects (EABL’s and the KPC project), the company helped distribute sanitiser packs to dozens of counties across Kenya. These include Kisumu, Kisii, Migori,Nairobi, Kiambu,Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Machakos, Makueni,Narok, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Murang’a, Mombasa, Kilifi,  among others, reveals KBC.

Besides these, EABL also delivered hand sanitiser packs to the National Police Service and Kenyatta National Hospital, targeting more frontline health workers.

As the company continue with its support to curb the spread of the corona virus, it recently issued a statement warning of a decline in profit after tax of approximately 25% for the financial year ending 30 June 2020 versus prior year.

“The COVID-19 global pandemic and the subsequent response measures taken across the region have impacted our business negatively,” stated Martin Oduor EABL chairperson.

“The Company has deployed a raft of measures to minimise the impact of the pandemic on its business. EABL’s top priorities are the safety of its people and to remain cost efficient during this period,” he added.

The company posted Ksh11.5 billion (US$107.83m) in profit after tax for the full year ending June 30 2019 up from Ksh7.3 billion (US$68.4m) made in 2018.