Social
Sustainability
Our Employees
Eastern Produce Kenya (EPK), would not exist without our employees. Our staff play an integral role in the daily operations of the organization.
Housing
EPK provides free housing to all employees and their dependents
EPK provides free housing to all employees and their dependents, which are organised into villages with each village having 40 to 80 houses. Each village is led by a headman employed by the company, and he is in charge of the general housekeeping and security of the village. All villages are provided with portable water, waste management and sanitation facilities. There are a total of 103 villages with 5,000 plus houses.
Food security
EPK has initiated Kitchen garden program for employees
The company has initiated a kitchen garden program for employees. Under the program, each employee is encouraged to cultivate the area around their house and plant vegetables. Employees are trained on how to grow these vegetables organically. This program supplements the ongoing provision of food staples by the company to employees, where EPK buys maize in bulk when prices are low and sells to employees at the same price when maize is scarce cushioning them from inflated prices charged by maize vendors.
Healthcare provision
EPK has established Dispensaries on all estates to provide medical services
The company prioritizes the health and safety of its employees by implementing strict safety protocols, providing necessary protective equipment, and promoting a culture of wellness in the workplace. EPK has also established dispensaries on all estates to provide free medical services and care to all employees and their dependents. These facilities are staffed with highly qualified and experienced medical personnel, ensuring the best possible care. The company has also assisted with refurbishing and equipping community dispensaries.
Education
EPK provides support through scholarships, bursaries, and stipends
The company has invested in training programs to help employees develop their skills and advance their careers. To ensure that all children of school-going age are in class, EPK provides support through scholarships, bursaries, and stipends, and provides funds to establish and improve schools’ infrastructure located within its estates and in the neighbouring community. This enables children of employees, dependents and surrounding communities to attend school. This is in line with EPK’s strict code of not using child labour in its operations.
Community Impact
HER Health Program
The company has a health program called ‘HER Health Program’ which raises awareness on critical health topics such as healthy eating, personal and menstrual hygiene, and maternal health. This program also addresses health-related behaviours such as disease testing, seeking out preventative care, and conducting breast self-examinations. Additionally, the program addresses common myths and misconceptions around potentially harmful health practices and beliefs, as well as building confidence and communication skills around discussing important health issues at work and home.
Shujaa Positive Program
This program cultivates open, caring, and trusting relationships between parents and their children. It helps parents raise their children well and protect them against a variety of negative health and social outcomes, teaches children responsible behaviour and assists them towards attaining their set goals.
Baby Nursing Units
At EPK, we support and raise awareness of breastfeeding through regular training on lactation and the establishment of nursing units in our operations.
Tabasamu
Tabasamu: A menstrual health & hygiene program
Through Tabasamu, EPK continues to step up action and investment in menstrual health and hygiene in and around our community to help fight period poverty and the stigma surrounding menstruation.
Gender Office
The gender office provides a conducive work environment to the trained officers handling Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases as well as ensures that victims of GBV are empowered to report cases of abuse.
