Ndhiwa MP distributes 10,000 masks, water tanks in fight against coronavirus

Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino sensitises residents on how to wash hands. The MP distributed 110-litre water tanks to 37 market centres in all the seven wards in his constituency on April 6, 2020. [James Omoro, Standard]

Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino distributed hand washing plastic tanks and 10,000 face masks in his constituency to help residents combat the deadly Covid-19.

Owino on Monday launched the distribution of items in Ndhiwa town.

The 110-litre tanks were distributed alongside jerrycans of liquid soap to 37 market centres each across all seven wards in the constituency with every market getting a tank each.

The legislator said the tanks will be placed at boda boda stages in the markets. He said the tanks will be used by residents and passengers to wash their hands to prevent infection of cororona virus.

"We decided to place the tanks at boda boda stages because these are the places where many people from various places alight and board motorbikes. This will enable them to clean their hands," he said.

The masks, gloves and soap were distributed to 483 Community Health Volunteers (CHV) in the constituency.

"CHWs are the people who play a pivotal role in the fight against Covid-19 because they are the people who sensitise the community on how to prevent the disease," said Owino.

The MP pledged to provide the CHWs with airtime worth between Sh500 and Sh1000 depending on their ranks.

He said the items were bought through a joint effort by his family.

"We don't have an allocation in the NGCDF for undertaking this type of project. The funds for buying the items were sourced by my family," The MP added.

Residents said the initiative will help them keep the coronavirus at bay.

"Bodaboda stages are visited by many people. Erecting these tanks will make people wash their hands easily," said Dan Nyakwana, bodaboda rider.

The CHWs said the initiative will give them morale in discharging their duties.

"We fear going closer to the people we serve in the community. These protective gears will enable us to attend to them without fear," said Daa Richards, a CHW.