By Jane Kioko
Sanitary pads is a common good for women, from adolescence, till late in their lives. It has however emerged that Always, one of the sanitary pad brand in the Kenyan market has been selling sub-standard pads to the Kenyan consumers.
This was echoed by women leaders from different parts of the country. Many women went to social media to share their ‘Always’ experience, ranging from itching, leaking among other side effects. Kenya Bureau of Standards was on Thursday approached by Warembo Lobby, a local initiative that distributes pads and mentors school girls in Karachuonyo, Homabay County. The lobby through their chair Ms. Yvonne Adhiambo and Secretary Millicent Mahero, demanded that the regulator do investigations and dirrctions over such grave allegations.
This is after an outcry from women who shared their nasty experiences with the pads earlier on this week on social media using the hashtag #MyAlwaysExperience. Social media users complained that the sanitary towels were different from the ones manufactured for the US Market and caused such burns, rashes, and leakages as a result of the manufacturer making the pads using nylon instead of cotton.
According to a report by a top local media, a press statement from the agency said that earlier quality surveillance and testing done on Always samples showed that the pads complied with required standards. Products that complied included variants of Always sanitary towels including Always Ultra, Platinum, Maxi, Ultra-normal and extra-long.
KEBS warned that if a breach of quality will be detected in the fresh investigations, action would be taken including market withdrawal of the substandard products.
The lobby, called on women leaders to join the campaign for quality and donate more pads to sustain girls in school.
