By Peter Atsiaya

East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has unveiled a Sh1 million programme to empower elderly women in the fight against malaria in parts of Nyanza Province.

US President Barack Obama’s step-grandmother Sarah Obama launched the project dubbed ‘Grandmothers against malaria’ at Kibaga Primary School in Karachuonyo.

Company Chairman Mark ole Karbolo said EAPCC would partner with health experts to mobilise and empower the women with new technologies to fight the disease.

"The pilot programme would be undertaken in Rachuonyo and Siaya districts before spreading to other areas," said Mr Karbolo.

preventive measures

"We want elderly women to stop using herbal medicine in favour of conventional drugs to treat malaria," Karbolo said, adding beneficiaries would get drugs, mosquito nets and training on preventive measures as one way of controlling the disease.

EAPCC MD John Nyambok attended the function where mosquito nets were distributed to women free of charge.