Kenyan manufacturer Pwani Oil has reduced the prices of some of its edible oil and soap products so as to encourage consumers to take protective measures against the coronavirus disease.
The company has announced a five percent reduction in the price of its Fresh Fri Garlic brand of cooking oil which it says has a carrier of zinc because it has garlic oil and has been fortified with Vitamins A and D – all critical nutrients in boosting human immunity and fighting viral infections.
Pwani Oil has also slashed the prices of its soap products Diva, Sawa and Detrex to encourage regular washing of hands among Kenyans. The firm also plans to roll out hand wash kits in public places to boost the ongoing public health campaign to promote regular washing of hands. The company targets to avail 150 hand washing kits in major towns including Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyeri.
Personal hygiene has been cited as an effective weapon against the spread of the flu-like virus.
“As a business that cares for the well-being of our consumers, we are alive to the serious health challenge posed by the spread of the Coronavirus globally. Our decision to lower prices on some of our products is informed by the need to encourage consumers to embrace preventive measures against the disease including healthy nutrient intake and personal hygiene,” said the company commercial director Rajul Malde.
He added that personal hygiene should include washing hands with soap for a minimum 30 times a day for twenty seconds each time. “We must all work together to turn the tide against the coronavirus pandemic by embracing simple but effective preventive measures. Our products fit very well with the health needs of our consumers, hence our decision to make them more affordable especially at this critical time.”
The move by Pwani Oil comes in the wake of sharp demand for essential consumer goods with prices also going up soon after the government reported the first case of coronavirus in Kenya on March 13.
This saw the Competition Authority of Kenya issue a stern warning to product manufacturers and retailers against hiking the prices of goods in response to panic buying in supermarkets and other outlets.
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