U.S. Donates Masks to Kenyan Journalists, Border Police

By ADF Last updated Jun 11, 2020

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter presents 1,000 Kenyan-made face masks to the Kenyan Editors Guild and other journalist organizations to protect against COVID-19. U.S. EMBASSY NAIROBI

ADF STAFF

In the effort to stanch the spread of COVID-19 in Kenya, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has donated thousands of face masks to key groups needing protection from the virus as they do their essential work.

On June 1, Ambassador Kyle McCarter presented 1,000 masks to Kenyan journalists at a gathering with the Kenyan Editors Guild, the Kenya Union of Journalists and the Media Council of Kenya. The USA Marafiki masks represent the long and friendly relationship between the United States and the people of Kenya, according to the embassy. U.S. Africa Command provided the masks.

“Kenyan journalists and media professionals the world over play a key role in informing and updating us on the coronavirus pandemic,” McCarter said. “We are proud today to help protect journalists, the fourth pillar of a strong democracy, and help flatten the curve.”

The donation came soon after McCarter announced a much larger donation of 40,000 locally produced masks to Kenya’s Border Police Unit to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The masks were provided as part of the U.S. State Department’s anti-terrorism program to help Kenya ensure that its borders stay secure.

Each mask comes in packaging printed with public health information to educate users about protecting themselves from COVID-19.

Made in Kenya by Kenyans, the donation supported the Kenyan economy in a time of economic hardship, McCarter said.