D&S Uganda recently celebrated a major milestone, its 25th Anniversary. Started from small beginnings in 1997 by founding MD Ephraim Wainaina, the company has grown considerably over the years and is now a major force in Uganda's water and energy sectors employing over 50 people and operating from seven branches. Celebrations were held in the newly upgraded and much improved Head Office in the on Jinja road aJR Complexnd over 100 customers, suppliers and staff enjoyed the event.
Significant progress has been made in the year in the area of bringing the D&S range of products and solutions closer to customers through the opening of local branches, particularly in Nairobi and its environs, where several new outlets have come online in the last few months. Most recently, smart new premises have opened their doors in Ngong town and Ruaka.
I begin by congratulating Dr. William Ruto on his election as Kenya's fifth President. The vote was very close but that it was generally seen to be fair and also accepted not just by the contestants but also the population is a huge endorsement for Kenya and of course that it was so peaceful is a great blessing. President Ruto certainly has a full in-tray both economic and social that will bring many challenges, though I look forward to the country continuing to develop on the trajectory established by his predecessor President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has led the country to another level during his tenure. Kenya is now in a strong position to secure its position as the region's major economy and D&S looks forward to supporting the new government.
A major milestone was recently achieved by the D&S Fibreglass Department, the production of the 25,000th Dayliff DX/CX filter! In Kenyan terms this is quite an achievement and given that there are probably less than 10,000 pools in the country most are fitted with these distinctive yellow filters. It's been a long journey, the first filter being made in 1985 with initially low production numbers that have grown over the years. Now available in five sizes and two configurations, Dayliff filters have proved their durability over years of service, many twenty year old ones still being in daily use.
D&S Lavington & Kamakis Open D&S Kenya MD Edward Davis and Branch Network Executive Margaret Kuchio have in the last quarter embarked on a program of opening several new branches in Nairobi and surrounding areas including latest locations D&S Lavington in Legend Valley Business Park on Gitanga Road and D&S Kamakis, situated near the Eastern Bypass/Thika Superhighway intersection. With the aim of bringing the range of its products and solutions closer and more accessible to customers everywhere, the D&S branch network in Kenya now stands at 55 and at 87 groupwide.
The D&S Group's digital division has recently launched its latest innovation, save-to-purchase module DAYLIPA that allows customers to purchase D&S solutions by making flexible deposits into their account over a period of time. Available as a smart phone app of the same name, DAYLIPA was successfully developed by a cross divisional team led by ICT GM Desmond Rao, Branch Management Office Manger Titus Njenga, Group Legal Manager Olive Muasya, Branch coordination manager Benjamin Ochelle, Group Credit Manager Matthew Ndongu, Digital Marketing Manager Ken Muturi and Anthony Waweru.
The Stockists Competition launched as part of the D&S 75th Anniversary celebrations has recently concluded with the winner, Ragsons Hardware, receiving a Toyota Probox as first prize. An award ceremony was held at D&S Tatu City Distribution where the winners' prize was presented with runners up Buildmart Tiles Hardware and Abokor Supplies Ltd also receiving gifts.