The Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has launched a funding program for supporting the revival of bars and eateries across Kenya so that they can bounce back from the adverse impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The global program by Diageo will involve the company's flagship brand, Tusker, with the aim of providing Kshs 330 million worth of targeted support to help provide physical equipment and digital capability needed by outlets to boost the recovery of the hospitality industry.
The programme, dubbed Raising the Bar, is part of Diageo’s Kshs 11 billion global fund to support bars and pubs recover from closure during this pandemic period.
A survey of bar owners to identify key priorities to support reopening was conducted. The findings showed that top priorities are practical equipment to transform service areas for adequate social distancing, hygiene measures and digital support.
The Raising the Bar programme was designed in response to the survey findings.
KBL Acting Sales Director, Joel Kamau stated, “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."
Kamau expressed his confidence in the effectiveness of the program.
"We have no doubt that Raising the Bar programme will provide the much-needed shot in the arm for these outlets at a time when they most need our help. With the sector’s 40,0000 retailers employing over 300,000 people and benefitting many more directly, the effects of the pandemic have been felt throughout the country,”
he added.
The programme aims at supporting over 11,000 outlets. The priority is for the outlets to meet
basic Covid-19 safety regulations according to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development.
According to KBL, the full recovery of the sector will boost its expansive value chain supporting over 47,000 farmers, over 100 distribution network consisting of 105 distributors and 44,000 retailers.
The fund will facilitate the provision of hygiene kits with high-quality permanent sanitiser dispenser units, medical grade hand sanitiser and a range of personal protection equipment (PPEs such as masks and gloves).
It will also facilitate mobile bars and outdoor equipment as well as establish partnerships with online reservations and cashless systems for
pubs and bars.
The company has partnered with AMREF to train bar staff on the safety measures they need to take to protect themselves and their customers when business resumes.
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