Kenya Red Cross received a donation of Ksh11.5 million from Barclays Bank towards the drought appeal that targets 2.5 million people.

The Chairman of Barclays Kenya, Mr Francis Okello, presented the cheque on 23rd February 2009 to Kenya Red Cross (KRC) Secretary General, Mr Abbas Gullet.

"We are committed to supporting communities as part of our Community Investment Programme," said Mr Okello.

Mr Gullet thanked the Barclays Bank of Kenya for the donation saying the money would be used to assist the drought affected populations including the school feeding programmes in boarding schools.

The Chairman of Barclays Kenya, Mr Francis Okello (left), presents a cheque to the Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Mr Abbas Gullet.

Barclays Bank staff also raised Ksh2 million to purchase 71MT of food for distribution in Maliku, Mbitini and Mbusyani locations in Kitui District, Eastern province.

Present during the food distribution exercise, which benefited 4,644 households, was the the Minister for Water who is also Kitui Central Member of Parliament, Hon. Charity Ngilu, the Barclays Bank Consumer Banking Director, Mr Abdi Mohammed, and more than 200 Barclays Bank employees.

The Barclays team supported their Kitui Branch after being requested to combine efforts to alleviate the suffering of the drought affected population in the district. "We received an appeal from our Branch in Kitui a few weeks ago. Our colleagues from different branches have raised funds, which have been matched by the bank under our shilling for shilling programme," the Bank's Consumer Banking Director, Mohammed said, while addressing the beneficiaries before starting the distribution exercise.

The Barclays Payments and International Services (PAIS) Department also participated in food distribution in Kaiti, Makueni District on 18th April 2009, where some 28 members of staff led by the Department's Manager, Ms Joyce Osano.

The group's spirit of volunteerism was largely felt by the target communities humbled by the large number of staff who participated in the distribution and the overwhelming support by the team.

"Ninawashukuru watu wa Banki ya Barclays kwa kuwaletea watu wa eneo hili chakula cha msaada, wakishirikiana na Red Cross pamoja na Waziri wetu, Mhe. Charity Ngilu (I thank the Barclays Bank team for coming to assist the people of this area, jointly with Red Cross and our Minister Hon Charity Ngilu)," said a beneficiary in Ungatu, Mbusyani Location, Kitui District.

The Bank's acting Head of Corporate Affairs, Ms Nuru Mugambi, said volunteerism was part of the institution's values, one of the reasons that motivated them to make their contribution. She added, "On any given day, you will find a Barclays Bank colleague volunteering in the community. Barclays always fosters community volunteerism. It is part of who we are as a bank and also part of who we are as individuals."