PDATE: Hennessy Kenya General Manager, Anne-Claire Delamere, issued a statement discrediting the assertion that the French brandy was effective in combating Covid-19.
"Hennessy would like to stress that the consumption of our brand or any other alcoholic beverage does not protect against the virus.
In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health Kenya (MoH), Hennessy advises on washing hands regularly with soap and water or hydro-alcoholic gels, wearing face masks, practicing social distancing and staying at home," the statement reads in part.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, on Tuesday, April 14, announced that he'd be adding small bottles of Hennessy (a type of brandy made in Cognac, France) to his free foodstuff hamper in a bid to combat Covid-19.
"I will be giving out small bottles of Hennessy in the food packs, I think from the research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), it has been revealed that alcohol plays a very major role in killing the coronavirus.
If you inspect any sanitizer and check the alcohol content, you'll find this to be true," he explained.
However, a quick check on the WHO official website reveals that the consumption of alcohol does not kill Covid-19.
“Does drinking alcohol prevent the new coronavirus? No, drinking alcohol does not protect you from coronavirus infection,” reads the WHO statement in part.
“Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation and people who do not drink alcohol should not start drinking in an attempt to prevent infection,” it further reads.
A 700ml bottle of Hennessy VS goes for Ksh3,900 on most online dial-a-delivery stores, making the governor's new addition an expensive undertaking.
Sonko, in his press release, pleaded with the government to allow him and other individuals who had been handing out food packs long before the coronavirus pandemic to continue doing so, without having to go around several bureaucratic routes just to deliver food to the needy.
He then warned the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to desist from politicising the issue of awarding bonuses to health workers by various governors.
"The health workers have to be supported in a very big way for the risks they take. They should be given a sizeable risk allowance just because of their high exposure while out on duty," he stated.
Watch Sonko's presser below:
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