Published on September 18, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 8 months by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Recent reports by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health highlight that poor hand hygiene remains a leading cause of communicable diseases among children, including diarrhoeal infections, respiratory illnesses, and skin conditions.
Cholera outbreaks have also been reported in various regions of Kenya, underscoring the urgent need for improved sanitation practices within communities and schools.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenya recorded fewer cases of diarrhoeal infections as adherence to frequent handwashing significantly reduced transmission rates. This evidence demonstrates the importance of instilling proper hygiene habits in children to improve both their immediate health and long-term learning outcomes.
Against this backdrop, Pwani Oil Products Limited, through its Sawa range of personal care products, has launched a school activation campaign to boost hygiene awareness and promote regular handwashing among learners during the third term.
The 10-day initiative targeting learners from Grade 1 to Grade 6 will by extension reach teachers, parents, school administrators and key community influencers. It will target 61 primary schools across Nairobi’s Njiiru, Kamukunji, Makadara, Starehe, and Kibra sub-counties, with the aim of reaching at least 31,000 pupils.
The campaign will feature a range of engaging activities, including hygiene and handwashing demonstrations using Sawa products, fun learning games to reinforce personal care habits and free sampling of Sawa soap.
“Good hygiene is a foundation of good health, and children are at the heart of our mission to empower learners to take charge of their personal hygiene while also spreading these practices within their families and neighborhoods,” said Rajul Malde, Commercial Director, Pwani Oil Products Limited.
This initiative will include exciting, branded giveaways such as pencil pouches and playful comic strips, while students participate in interactive classroom competitions, bringing hygiene education to life in a fun and memorable way. Adding to the excitement, Sawa’s four vibrant mascots, Bubblegum, Zesty Orange, Strawberry, and Biscuit—will join the school activations, engaging directly with learners to promote Sawa’s core message of fun, color, and variety.
According to UNICEF, the absence of proper hygiene practices directly impacts school attendance and learning outcomes, as children fall sick more frequently and miss classes.
With the school activation initiative, Pwani Oil is promoting effective handwashing among children through playful, interactive learning, helping to instill habits that reduce illness-related absenteeism and positively influence households and neighborhoods.
In Kenya, studies by the Ministry of Education show that schools with structured hygiene education led by teachers report up to 25% fewer absentee days, proving the direct impact of sustained handwashing practices on learning outcomes. By reinforcing the Ministry of Health’s call for regular handwashing with soap and clean water, the Sawa school activation not only keeps children in class and thriving but also champions Pwani Oil’s broader goal of empowering communities to embrace healthier, more resilient lifestyles.
