At full capacity, SC Johnson expects to produce up to 20 million Guardian units annually at its Kenya plant. The company plans to distribute the spatial repellents at no cost to those in greatest need via public health channels. The opening of two new manufacturing lines is also expected to boost the local economy, creating approximately 150 jobs
SC Johnson, the company behind household brands such as OFF!, Fuyí, and Raid, has announced the launch of high-speed manufacturing lines at its Nairobi plant to produce SC Johnson Guardian—one of its latest spatial repellents designed to significantly reduce mosquito presence.
As Africa approaches peak malaria season, this innovative tool offers a simple yet effective solution. It can be hung in semi-enclosed spaces, such as homes and schools, and has been proven to help combat multiple mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, and leishmaniasis.
“Eleven years ago, a team at SC Johnson had a vision to create an exceptionally low-cost, long-lasting spatial repellent that could significantly reduce malaria transmission,” said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson.
“We are only months away from receiving a policy recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that will allow us to get this new tool into the hands of millions. We recently reached a key milestone by launching high-speed manufacturing at our site in Kenya, and this is just the beginning.”
At full capacity, SC Johnson expects to produce up to 20 million Guardian units annually at its Kenya plant. The company plans to distribute the spatial repellents at no cost to those in greatest need via public health channels. The opening of two new manufacturing lines is also expected to boost the local economy, creating approximately 150 jobs.
According to WHO’s latest World Malaria Report, Africa accounts for 94% of global malaria cases and 95% of malaria-related deaths. SC Johnson is currently awaiting WHO approval for its spatial repellents and is already considering expanding its manufacturing and distribution operations in Kenya. Clinical trials have demonstrated that proper use of spatial repellents can reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases by 33%, with Guardian offering protection for up to 12 months.
Initial trials in Indonesia, Peru, and Kenya have shown promising results, and ongoing research continues to highlight the efficacy of spatial repellents. “Being in a region highly vulnerable to mosquito and other insect-transmitted diseases, manufacturing spatial repellents here in Kenya is a game-changer,” said Dr Eric Ochomo, Deputy Director at the Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Disease, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Busia.
“Our partnership with SC Johnson enables us to combine our expertise to develop and distribute these tools swiftly and free of charge to areas with a high disease burden and those at risk of outbreaks. This collaboration could help prevent further cases and deaths, and we are proud to work together in the fight against malaria and other diseases.”
Over the past decade, SC Johnson has committed more than Ksh 12.9 billion (US$100 million) to the development, testing, production, and deployment of spatial repellents as a new public health intervention. This includes a Ksh 2.84 billion (US$22 million) investment in its Nairobi plant.
The US-based company has positioned this initiative as a philanthropic effort, leveraging its resources, capabilities, and expertise to tackle mosquito-borne diseases on a global scale.
