At least 1,000 women in Kenyan prisons are set to benefit from a menstrual hygiene campaign by Detrex Soap in partnership with the charitable organisation Keeping Girls in School (KGS). The initiative, which commenced in March and runs through to September, aims to address a neglected public health gap inside the country’s correctional system.
The programme will distribute dignity kits containing sanitary pads, underwear, soap and basic hygiene supplies, including Detrex bathing soap, to women inmates across several facilities. Organizers say the effort responds to persistent shortages of personal care items that leave many incarcerated women dependent on irregular donations or family support.
Kenya’s prison population stands at around 58,000 inmates, with women accounting for roughly 13 per cent, according to data from the National Council on the Administration of Justice. This suggests a female prison population of approximately 8,000, highlighting the relatively small but vulnerable group the campaign seeks to support.
Despite their smaller numbers, women prisoners often face distinct health and sanitation challenges, emerging from, a systemic issue. Kenya’s prisons operate at about 161 per cent of official capacity, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, putting pressure on sanitation infrastructure and access to basic supplies.
Health advocates say inadequate access to soap and menstrual products increases the risk of reproductive tract infections, urinary tract infections and skin diseases, while also contributing to anxiety, stigma and loss of dignity among inmates.
“We believe access to basic hygiene is fundamental to health and dignity for every Kenyan, including those in correctional facilities. Through Detrex, we are proud to support such practical interventions that restore dignity while advancing public health outcomes in underserved communities,” said Polycarp Nyawuana, the RRT Manager Nairobi at Pwani Oil, during the campaign’s launch at the Lang’ata Women’s Prison in Nairobi.
The campaign also reflects growing corporate participation in Kenya’s social development agenda, particularly in areas where public resources remain stretched. Civil society organisations estimate that many women in prison come from low-income backgrounds and may lack consistent family support, making them particularly vulnerable to shortages of essential supplies.
“Menstrual health and hygiene is an urgent but often overlooked need, especially within correctional facilities, where a majority of the women population is underprivileged. It is encouraging to see corporates like Pwani Oil, taking bold steps to bridge the needs gap,” said Wamuyu Kuira, the Executive Director at KGS.
The initiative is supported by Pwani Oil Products Limited (Pwani Oil), the manufacturer of Detrex Soap, as part of its environmental, social and governance commitments and broader community outreach programmes.
In addition to the distribution of products, KGS says the programme will include menstrual health education sessions aimed at improving hygiene practices and reducing stigma around menstruation within prison communities.
Kenya has made incremental progress in expanding health coverage for inmates, including recent efforts to register prisoners under the national Social Health Authority scheme, but advocates say more targeted interventions are still required to address gender specific health needs. This makes the Detrex-KGS campaign a practical step towards closing one such gap.