How Del Monte Kenya Nurtures Health in Its Communities

Beyond the golden rows of pineapples and the hum of factory floors, Del Monte Kenya has been cultivating something equally vital: health and wellness. In the heart of Murang’a County, where access to medical care can be a daily challenge, the company has quietly built a network of healthcare lifelines that extend far beyond its plantation gates.

Del Monte Kenya operates six fully equipped health clinics, serving both its employees and the neighboring communities. These clinics, staffed by qualified nurses and doctors, offer a range of essential services, including outpatient care, maternal health, immunizations, and treatment for minor illnesses and injuries.

“At Del Monte Kenya, we believe that good health is a prerequisite for productivity. That’s why we have invested in well-equipped clinics across our operations, staffed with qualified nurses and medical personnel,” said Wayne Cook, the Managing Director, Del Monte Kenya.

The investment isn’t just about corporate wellness; it’s about community transformation. By collaborating with county health authorities, Del Monte Kenya has turned its clinics and health initiatives into hubs of hope. The company regularly partners in medical outreach programs that bring vital services closer to the people, from cancer screenings and HIV awareness to reproductive health education.

“We have partnered with county health authorities to run medical outreach programs, including cancer screening, HIV awareness, and reproductive health education. These efforts are part of our broader commitment to community wellness,” added Wayne.

Every year, Del Monte Kenya brings its commitment to community health to life through comprehensive medical clinics across the region. In October 2024, this ongoing initiative saw Del Monte Kenya, together with over 100 healthcare professionals, host a free medical camp at College Primary School in Makuyu. More than 1,350 residents received care, including screenings and treatments for breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, as well as general health consultations and education sessions. For many participants, it was the first time they had received such a comprehensive medical check-up—underscoring the continued impact of this long-running programme.

For workers within the company, the impact is equally profound. Having clinics within easy reach means employees no longer have to travel long distances or take extended time off work to seek medical attention. The result is a healthier, more productive workforce and stronger families.

But Del Monte Kenya’s definition of health goes beyond clinics and medicine. The company has woven wellness into its social responsibility agenda, tackling issues from menstrual hygiene to access to clean water. It has supported public health campaigns, including COVID-19 awareness initiatives, and distributed menstrual hygiene supplies to schoolgirls, ensuring that no girl misses school due to a lack of basic sanitary products.

In recent years, the company has also aligned its health and wellness initiatives with broader gender empowerment goals. In 2024, Del Monte Kenya signed the UN Foundation’s Principles of Women’s Empowerment, reaffirming its dedication to supporting women both within its workforce and in the communities it serves. A year later, it deepened that commitment by signing the Women’s Empowerment Principles under UN Women and the UN Global Compact, a move that underscores its belief that community health and gender equality go hand in hand.

Del Monte Kenya’s health initiatives may not always make headlines, but their impact is deeply felt — in every mother receiving prenatal care, every child vaccinated, and every family spared the anxiety of untreated illness. It’s a reminder that corporate responsibility isn’t just about producing goods; it’s about producing good.

In nurturing both body and livelihood, Del Monte Kenya has become more than an employer; it’s a partner in wellness, proving that the sweetest fruits of its labor are not only grown in the fields but also in the well-being of its people.

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