Kenya
A dusk to dawn curfew has been installed nationwide by President Uhuru Kenyatta. In addition, travel restrictions increased to ban movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, and two counties. Other restrictions include: closed borders; schools, pubs, entertainments venues, churches and mosques shut; everyone is required to wear face masks (arrest possible if not worn).
Concerns, Challenges and Adaptation Measures
Due to social distancing, Mukuru Clean Stoves has had to create new strategies to limit contact in their factory. Production and the number of workers were reduced to allow access to only two people at a time. Members of the production team are still working as they are unable to work from home. This will also ensure products are available when markets are open again. Due to the closure of markets, sales agents have closed their shops and Mukuru Clean Stoves has seen a drop in sales by almost 60%.
Emergency Fund
Rockflower supported Mukuru Clean Stoves through our Emergency Fund. Vulnerable families were identified with either young mothers or grandmothers living with 3 or more young children. They were able to distribute food parcels, including 2 kg of maize flour, 2 kg of rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, 2 kg of sugar, half a kg of salt, a bar of soap and face masks, and some cooking stoves to 25 families in Siaya County. The food will last a family for approximately one month.
