We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Kirinyaga County's onsite oxygen plant has saved Sh80 million in four years, ending reliance on expensive private suppliers and ensuring 24-hour critical care support.

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.
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."
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.
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago