upepo
Elder Lister
Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai has introduced the region's first-ever medical drone delivery system in partnership with Zipline, a cutting-edge logistics company. This innovative technology is set to dramatically reduce delays in the supply of vital medical products, previously hindered by road transport. During the launch, a drone delivered vaccines to Sigowet Sub-County Hospital in just eight minutes, showcasing the efficiency of this new system.
With this advancement, pregnant women and patients will no longer face the need for referrals to other facilities due to medicine shortages, especially during emergencies. Health workers who require vaccines for childhood immunizations will no longer have to close clinics and travel by motorcycle to collect supplies. Instead, they can request them via drone, receiving deliveries within minutes. “This is a monumental step toward improving healthcare delivery in our county,” Governor Mutai said at the launch event, stressing the importance of embracing new technologies in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Emergency supplies like anti-venom, anti-rabies treatments, and blood products can now be delivered in under 10 minutes to any of Kericho's 200-plus health facilities, potentially saving countless lives. Kericho becomes the second county in Kenya, after Kisumu, to adopt this life-saving technology, which is expected to have a transformative impact on healthcare. Governor Mutai was joined at the event by Health CEC Brenda Bii, Trade CEC Leonard Ngetich, Roads CEC Ben Bii, and County Assembly Majority Leader Philip Rono, among other officials.
