Optica gives out spectacles as it turns 50

By Ally Jamah

A partnership between Zain Kenya and Optica, a local spectacles dispensing company, benefited 15,000 Kenyans with sight problems with free reading glasses worth Sh7.5 million.

There were long winding queues outside Optica branches in Nairobi as those aged above 40 waited to get their free glasses. Optica is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

"It is a fitting celebration for us to see people seeing clearly again. Many of them could not afford to buy glasses for themselves," said Ushi Bhardwat, the owner of Optica.

The beneficiaries also received a free Zain line and free airtime. In the next six months, they will also be entitled to 100 per cent bonus airtime for the first airtime recharge of the month.

Zain’s Director of Corporate Communications, Michael Okwiri, said the partnership would allow Kenyans to celebrate the festive season with more happiness.

see clearly again

Residents of other towns across the country like Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii and Eldoret have also benefited in the exercise, which ends today.

Optica had planned to give 10,000 glasses, but the overwhelming response compelled the management to increase it to 15,000.

Patrick Nandwa, who got free spectacles on Sunday in Nairobi, expressed his happiness in being able to see clearly again.

"I had given up on reading newspapers and documents, but now I can go back to reading with renewed gusto," he said smiling.