Yvonne Chaka Chaka in Nairobi

By Ally Jamah

South Africa pop diva Yvonne Chaka Chaka is in Nairobi. However, the city will not experience her enthralling music performances. A local company has engaged her services to promote disease control through hand washing.

The 45-yearl old music icon is in the country for a Sh50 million campaign to boost hand washing and urged Kenyans to make Òan automatic habitÓ of cleaning their hands with soap before a meal or after visiting the toilet.

ÒWe should embrace the simple habit of washing our hands regularly with soap. It will save us from many serious diseases like typhoid and diarrhoea,Ó she said today when she visited The Standard.

While in the country, she will meet Public Health Minister Beth Mugo whose ministry is also running a hand-washing campaign to reduce diarrhoeral infections among children.

She will also participate in a symposium with health experts at NairobiÕs Norfolk Hotel to discuss the many benefits of washing hands with soap.

A recent study revealed that very few Kenyans wash their hands after visiting toilets, a fact which has been blamed for the high incidents of parasitic infections.

ÒIt does not cost you much to wash your hands with soap. You will save yourself unnecessary trips to the hospital,Ó she added

Her tour is sponsored by Unilever Kenya, which seeks to boost its recently-re-launched Lifebuoy soap in a bid to increase its share of the medicated soap market.

The diva also visited Jonathan Gloag Academy, a school which houses orphans to sensitise them about healthy living. She also conducted interviews with several TV stations.

Tomorrow, she will visit Riara Primary School and fly out later in the evening.

During the interview today at KTN, Yvonne revealed that she had stopped distributing her music in Kenya due to the high rates of piracy.

ÒI was born in the slum of Soweto and I know that if you work hard you will definitely become a success in life. DonÕt sit back and feel sorry for yourself. Go out there and do something,Ó she advised callers during he live TV interview.