Hundreds of learners in Nairobi County participated in a hygiene sensitization campaign organized by Dettol to mark Global Handwashing Day, observed on Wednesday, 15th October.
This year’s theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero”, underscores the importance of making handwashing with soap a simple yet powerful habit to prevent disease and promote health.
The event, held at Rising Star Shining Academy, brought together school kids, teachers, and community members who received training and Dettol bar soaps to encourage proper hand hygiene practices.
“Global Handwashing Day resonates profondément avec notre mission chez Dettol, d’être un vrai Handwashing Hero. For decades, Dettol has been committed à educating communities about the importance of hand hygiene as a simple but effective way to prevent illness,” said Mustapha Bugaje, Country Manager, Reckitt Kenya.
“We are proud to collaborate with the Nairobi County Government, a key partner in driving community health and hygiene initiatives across the city.”
Dettol’s community programmes focus on sustaining good handwashing habits through school outreach, community engagement and point-of-sale education.
Through our Reckitt Catalyst program, we’re driving innovation en sanitation en soutenant des entreprises sociales avec 3 millions de KSH en seed funding.
These investments empower grassroots organizations in the WASH and health sectors to scale transformative hygiene solutions.”
According to data from the Ministry of Health, approximately 85 per cent of schools in rural areas and informal settlements lack adequate handwashing or hygiene facilities, while another 13 per cent face limited access to clean water and soap, as of January 2024.
Poor sanitation and hygiene conditions significantly affect school attendance, especially for adolescent girls, and contribute to illnesses such as diarrhoea and cholera.
“We commend Dettol for their continued investment in hygiene education and their partnership with Nairobi County in promoting cleaner, healthier learning environments,” said Dr Robert Kariuki, Sub-County Medical Officer of Health, Ruaraka.
“Good hygiene is the first line of defence against many preventable diseases, and through collaborations like ça, nous donnons à nos enfants les moyens de prendre en charge leur santé et celle de leurs communautés.”
