Co-op Bank first Kenyan corporate to donate towards coronavirus fight

Co-op Bank Donation: Co-operative Bank has donated Sh. 100 million towards Emergency Fund that is meant to beef up Kenya’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The donation is the first among Kenya’s top corporates. It came just as Kenya’s confirmed cases of coronavirus hit 142 with four deaths and four recoveries.

In a statement signed by the Group’s Managing Director and CEO Gideon Muriuki, the bank says that the donation is intended to help the government purchase more ventilators.

“The Board of Directors and staff of Co-Op Bank is honoured to support with key cash contribution of Sh. 100 million, preferably to be allocated towards purchase of critical ventilators,” the statement reads in part.

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“The outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic is the biggest crisis of our time, particularly in the effort to source the critical lifesaving medical supplies and equipment especially ventilators that are short in supply globally.”

Additionally, Co-op Bank has commended the efforts by the government, particularly President Uhuru Kenyatta, for constituting the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Committee which it says will play crucial role in helping in fund management. The lender has further called on other corporate organisations and well-wishers to donate to the Covid-19 kitty to help the country fight the virus.

To nip the rise of the cases, the government has banned any form of public gathering, including churches and mosques. Funerals have been limited to immediate family members. The government has also been stressing the importance of strict hygiene in curbing spread of the pandemic. “Washing hands and social distancing is the key reason Chinese cases are coming down,” said Health CS Mutahi Kagwe. The government has also suspended all international flights, and ordered all public transport vehicles to adhere to the laid out rules. Co-op Bank Donation.