An important day in Malindi which, in its own small way, has already borne fruit.
The widespread and controlled distribution of 1500 face masks to the boda boda, the vital hub of public transport in Kenya, has begun.
There are in fact 1500 officially registered and gathered in association, while throughout the County it is estimated that there are another 150,000 occasional or unlicensed.
Many of these have had their motorcycles seized in recent days, for various offences. As of today, by gazette law, they may be fined and go to jail even if they do not wear the mask. The official ones, instead, will have the ones donated by the Italian community (producers and donors already reported and thanked in this article) and distributed since yesterday in all the "stages", that is the boda boda parking areas.
The distribution took place in the presence of the Deputy Head of the Boda Boda Operators Association, Caroline Wanjiko, the head of the Malindi Red Cross, Cornel Ndombi, a county health officer, as well as the President of the Progress and Welfare Association Malindi (PWAM) who coordinated the initiative organized by Malindikenya.net.
Starting from the old market, where there are about fifty authorized boda bodas, the distribution moved to the Roundabout, then to several other popular areas of the city, then to the Police Station and Post Office, and finally on Lamu Road at the shops and banks and then outside the Oasis Mall (Tusky's) to finish the first day at the boda boda collection point next to the Casino.
It was essential not only to equip the two-wheeled taxi drivers with masks (many fortunately already had them and wore them) but also to explain what their best use is and that if the passenger doesn't have them, safety for them goes to their good graces. From now on they should no longer carry passengers without face protection. "I protect you, you protect me" is our motto and awareness raising starts from this concept. Otherwise there is no point in making masks, financing them and distributing them. Education, especially in an emergency, is everything.
Today it will be the turn of other points close to the city centre, and on Monday it will end with the suburbs. In this case the distribution will be handled by the Red Cross and Caroline of the Boda Boda Operators.
As we always remember, for those who want to help the prevention team in Malindi, the number Mpesa 0720178982 and from Italy the Iban of Maddalena Stefanelli. IBAN: EN14X05034017950000004223. Causal: "Covid-19 donation".
For those who would like to have masks produced to donate them themselves or distribute them to nearby people or their employees, we would like to point out the activity of Eden House which continues (Roberto, Tel. 0718876368) and that of the NGO Karibuni, which creates work and income for the people of the hinterland of Malindi (Gianfranco Ranieri, Tel.0799989976). Both produce for Kes. 50 a mask.