Homa Bay County is set to introduce drones to distribute emergency medical supplies in a bold step to modernize its healthcare delivery, a move that Governor Gladys Wanga says is aimed at eliminating delays in reaching remote health facilities.
The county has signed an MoU with Zipline International Kenya, a company specializing in drone logistics, to support the rollout.
“The meeting approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Zipline International Kenya to enhance health emergency responses using drone technology,” Governor Wanga said. “This initiative will facilitate the distribution of essential medications and blood products to remote healthcare facilities across the county.”
The first phase will serve 84 health facilities, selected based on their accessibility challenges. The drones are expected to deliver supplies in under an hour, regardless of terrain or weather disruptions.
“The initial phase of this project aims to reach 84 designated health facilities, ensuring that emergency drugs and supplies can be delivered swiftly, even to locations that are difficult to access due to geographical challenges or adverse weather conditions,” Wanga noted.
She added that the system will dramatically cut delivery time: “The targeted delivery time for these essential products is between 20 to 50 minutes, significantly improving access to critical healthcare services.”
The initiative marks a shift in how the county handles time-sensitive health emergencies and reflects a growing reliance on tech-driven solutions in public service.
