In a healthcare landscape often defined by shortages, Kirinyaga County has achieved a rare victory. A medical oxygen plant installed at the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital has saved the taxpayer over Sh80 million in four years, transforming a facility that once relied on erratic cylinder deliveries into a self-sufficient lifeline.

Four years ago, the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital was bleeding money. The facility was spending millions annually to outsource oxygen, a critical commodity that often ran out when patients needed it most. Today, the hum of the on-site oxygen generation plant is the sound of a system that works.

Engineering Survival

The plant, a strategic investment by the county government, has a capacity to generate 1,000 litres of pure medical-grade oxygen every 24 hours. According to Esbon Gakuo, the Director of Medical Services, the purity level stands at 95%, meeting strict international standards.

"We used to live in fear of the cylinder running empty during surgery," Gakuo admitted during a routine inspection. "Now, we have a piped system that delivers oxygen directly to the bedside. It has changed everything."

• The Savings: By eliminating the middleman and production costs of external suppliers, the county has saved Sh80 million—money that has been redirected to purchase drugs and hire more nurses.
• Reduced Referrals: Previously, patients requiring intensive oxygen therapy had to be transferred to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi. Today, Kerugoya handles these critical cases, decongesting the national referral system.
• 24-Hour Supply: The plant ensures a continuous supply for the ICU, emergency theatre, and maternity wing, significantly lowering mortality rates related to respiratory failure.

A Model for Devolution

Biomedical engineer Lizbeth Muchiri noted that the shift from "buying air" to "making air" is a model that other counties are now studying. "It is about sovereignty," she said. "When you control your oxygen, you control your ability to save lives."

For the residents of Kirinyaga, the Sh80 million figure is impressive, but the real value is unquantifiable. It is found in the premature baby breathing in the incubator and the accident victim stabilizing in the ER—lives saved by a wise investment in the most basic of human needs.