Centum Caters For 2,000 Families

Vipingo Development General Manager Raphael Nyamai and Community liaison officer Mwalimu Swaleh pose with a hamper of donations in Vipingo area, Kilifi on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Vipingo Development General Manager Raphael Nyamai and Community liaison officer Mwalimu Swaleh pose with a hamper of donations in Vipingo area, Kilifi on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
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At least 2,000 vulnerable households in Vipingo area, Kilifi County are set to start receiving food hampers in a move to mitigate the adverse effects of the Covid 19 pandemic in Kilifi County.

Centum through a statement released on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, informed of the initiative noting that the donations came from the company's staff, friends, homeowners and partners in the Vipingo project in a bid to support vulnerable families who are finding it extremely difficult to afford a meal following the slowdown in economic activities.

"The program will see the distribution of 20 tonnes of maize flour, 6 tonnes of beans, 8 tonnes of rice, 1 tonne of cooking fat, 2,000 pieces of bar soap and salt," the statement reads in part.

Vipingo Development General Manager Raphael Nyamai leads a team in giving donations in Vipingo area, Kilifi on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Vipingo Development General Manager Raphael Nyamai leads a team in giving donations in Vipingo area, Kilifi on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
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"Centum has partnered with Tuskys supermarket to package the food into hampers that will support a family for approximately two weeks. Each hamper shall consist 10kg of maize flour, 4kg of Rice, 3kg of beans, 500g of cooking fat, 2 bar soaps and 500g o salt," the statement adds.

The beneficiaries of the initiative were identified by local community leaders and administrators, and the distribution of food hampers would be supported by the office of Kilifi South Deputy County Commissioner.

County police will ensure security and compliance with social distancing guidelines at the collection centres, mainly primary schools in Vipingo area.

To ensure safety and accountability, Centum through its subsidiary Ajiri, developed a zero-contact system that will send a notification of confirmation to beneficiaries.

"The text message-based distribution system sends a text notification with a pin number to the beneficiaries’ mobile phones. For those without phones, the test notification is sent to assigned mobile numbers belonging to family members, trusted neighbours, or community leaders," the statement reads.

The beneficiaries will then pick their food hamper at designated collection centres and at a scheduled time to avoid crowding. They are required to provide the pin and their national identity cards for identification.

The first phase of the distribution was launched on April 22 at Vipingo’s Awali project collection point by Vipingo Development general manager, area chief and representatives from both the county and national governments.

Vipingo Development, a subsidiary Centum Investment Company PLC, has been at the forefront in implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the communities around the development in Vipingo, Kilifi County. 

Residents of Vipingo area, Kilifi collect their donations at one of the distribution centres on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Residents of Vipingo area, Kilifi collect their donations at one of the distribution centres on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
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Residents of Vipingo area, Kilifi collect their donations at one of the distribution centres on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
Residents of Vipingo area, Kilifi collect their donations at one of the distribution centres on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
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