With schools reopening in January 2021, the County Government of Kitui decided to lessen the burden on parents for added school requirements in adherence to Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols by providing face masks to schools in the County to protect all learners from COVID-19 infection as they reopen schools.On November 12, 2020, the County Governor launched the distribution of a total of 200,000 face masks which were to benefit all primary schools with 71,000 Class 4 and Class 8 pupils as well as all 27, 496 Form 4 students in secondary schools already in school. Each learner received two reusable face masks at zero cost to them. The Kitui County Government met all the costs. The masks were produced by the County-owned Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC).