Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has unveiled a Ksh330 million fund mooted as part of Diageo’s wider plan to help bars and eateries recover from the economic shocks of COVID-19.
Diageo, KBL’s parent company, earlier this year announced that it would be coming to the rescue of its aforementioned key stakeholders through a $100 million (Ksh11.5 billion) fund and now Kenya has gotten its piece of the pie.
Bars, eateries and clubs across the world have been among the hardest hit businesses as governments identified entertainment joints as potential breeding grounds for the virus and consequently shut them down for limited periods of time to curb the possible spread of the disease.
“As KBL, we know this has been the most difficult time for the hospitality industry ever. Our bars and eateries universe constitutes a critical part of our hospitality industry which has been greatly affected. We have committed to alleviate the safety and comfort of our customers and boost the trade at this critical time,” said KBL’s Acting Sales Director Joel Kamau.
Some 11,000 outlets are set to benefit from the program which will facilitate the provision of hygiene kits, sanitiser dispensing units and personal protection equipment such as masks and gloves.
The funding will also allow pubs and bars to obtain mobile bars and outdoor equipment and establish partnerships with online reservations and cashless systems.
The program is based on a survey among bar owners in identifying key priorities to support reopening including equipment to support social distancing and hygiene measures.
