The government has launched local production of affordable sanitary towels, with prices starting at Sh20 per piece, in a move aimed at improving access to menstrual hygiene products and addressing period poverty among women and girls.
The manufacturing facility, operated by Sofy Unicharm East Africa, was launched on Thursday, October 15, by Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui, alongside Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
The company is a partnership between Unicharm, CFAO and Toyota Tsusho and will manufacture sanitary towels locally, including the Sofy Long Lasting range, retailing at prices as low as Sh20 per piece, as well as the premium Sofy Deep Absorption range.
Kinyanjui said the investment will help make essential menstrual hygiene products more affordable and accessible, particularly for girls who struggle to obtain sanitary towels.
“Many girls across Kenya still struggle to access sanitary towels, a basic necessity that should never stand between a girl and her education, confidence or dignity,” he said in a statement shared on his social media pages.
The CS said manufacturing should go beyond producing goods and generating profits to include investments that create jobs, improve lives and restore human dignity, while strengthening Kenya’s local manufacturing sector.
“ The most meaningful investments are those that create jobs, improve lives and restore human dignity,” he said.
Sofy Unicharm East Africa is targeting Sh1.5 billion in revenue by 2030 and plans to reach two million women across East Africa.
The investment is expected to contribute to employment creation and the growth of local manufacturing while helping address period poverty, which remains a barrier to menstrual hygiene for many women and girls.
Kinyanjui said making sanitary towels more accessible would help women and girls pursue education and other opportunities without the additional challenges associated with limited access to menstrual hygiene products.
The launch was also attended by Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya, Hiroshi Matsuura, and CFAO Chairman Dennis Awori.
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