Over 8,000 residents of Ngaremara Ward, Isiolo County, will now have access to clean water following the commissioning of a water supply station that was launched in the community today. Nestlé partnered with the Kenya Red Cross Society in commissioning the facility that will help reduce the impact of cyclic droughts in the area. The water system was funded by Nestlé and constructed by Kenya Red Cross, in partnership with the County Government of Isiolo.
To support the ongoing pandemic response efforts by Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), Nestlé donated KSh12, 371, 700 towards the water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH) project in Ngaremara. The joint initiative has contributed to the construction of an equipped community borehole, an elevated steel tank, and two entirely solar powered water kiosks to reduce operation and maintenance costs of the facility. In addition, the initiative organized for community health promotion sessions in 12 villages in Ngaremara Ward, which saw 48 of the 51 households reached embracing the need for and importance of the use of latrines in homesteads.
The Ngaremara water system commissioning is part of Nestlé’s longstanding partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “At Nestlé, we have dedicated our efforts to protecting water resources through Our Caring for Water Commitment. As the climate changes, so does the global availability of clean, safe water. The impacts are apparent at a local level, with those in vulnerable societies feeling it most. In 2020, Nestlé partnered with KRCS on targeted relief efforts to support the most vulnerable communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Through our water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, we collaborated with government and valuable stakeholders like KRC, to build resilience in communities where the need for clean water and sanitation is most acute,” said Mr. Ngéntu Njeru, Nestlé Kenya’s Managing Director.
“Through the inclusive capacity building and community training sessions provided at Ngaremara Ward on hygiene, sanitation practices and COVID-19 information, we hope to build community knowledge and resilience through this sustainable approach to addressing the most critical needs of the local community. For Nestlé, sustainability is an integral part of the way we do business and by protecting shared water resources today, we ensure they are safeguarded for future generations,” he added.
Dr Asha Mohammed, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society remarked, "with access to safe and clean water and community knowledge on hygiene sanitation practices, local communities are less susceptible to illness and the critical effects of drought in areas like Ngaremara. Our WASH initiative aims to enable long-term access to safe water and sanitation knowledge that will support local communities, especially through this critical time during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We’re proud to partner with Nestlé Kenya and are thankful for this generous donation which has allowed us to support many vulnerable communities in managing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she added.
The WASH initiatives are part of Nestlé’s commitment to creating shared value within the communities they operate in and improving access to water and sanitation across the value chain. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Nestlé has donated a total of KSh17.99million in food relief donations, cash transfer to vulnerable households, and water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives within Kenya through the partnership with KRCS.
Contact
Judy Mwangi, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager
Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region
Tel: +254709553072
Email:[email protected]
About Nestlé Kenya:
Nestlé Kenya Limited is one of the operating companies under Nestlé East and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) Limited. Nestlé Kenya Limited was established in 1967 and the Nairobi factory supplies products to the local market, in addition to exporting to some EAC, COMESA and European markets. Nestlé Kenya Limited has a Head Office, Factory, and Distribution Centre in Pate Road, Industrial Area, Nairobi.