Zipline, a global leader in autonomous drone logistics, has partnered with Kericho County in the Rift Valley region to enhance access to medical supplies for health facilities using drones. This partnership was officially launched this week at the Sigowet Sub-county Hospital by Dr Erick Mutai, the Governor of Kericho County.
This historic collaboration between Zipline and the County Government is expected to revolutionise healthcare for both emergencies and routine care, enabling the swift delivery of life-saving supplies such as vaccines, bloód products, anti-venom, and anti-rabies treatments to over 200 healthcare facilities.
Since 2016, Zipline has been at the forefront of drone technology, starting in Rwanda with deliveries of bloód products to remote hospitals. Having completed over one million successful autonomous drone deliveries since then, the company’s technology has redefined healthcare logistics in multiple African countries and is now set to bring these benefits to Kericho.
“With this partnership, patients with diabetes or snake bites, common issues in the Soit Sigowet region, will now receive real-time delivery of critical medicines,” said Dr. Mutai. “This technology will also minimise delays in accessing life-saving interventions, ensuring that pregnant women and other patients will no longer need to be referred to other facilities solely because of the non-availability of medicines and other health products, especially those needed in emergencies.”
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Kericho joins Kisumu County as the second County to embrace this technology. Through this partnership, drones will be utilised to streamline inventory management, minimise waste, and lower costs by optimising resource allocation. A 2022 study published in The Lancet concluded that by centralising Rwanda’s bloód supply and delivering in on-demand, Zipline reduced bloód expiries by 67% between 2019-2019.
Most importantly, this partnership is poised to support improved health outcomes in the county. A study by Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania found that in Rwanda, Zipline reduced in-hospital maternal mortality due to postpártum haemorrhage by 51%. Kericho County hopes to realise these same or greater benefits from utilisation of drone delivery.
Zipline Kenya’s Country Operations Manager, Mr Luke Barasa, highlighted the partnership’s life-saving potential. “Our drones operate in all weather conditions, day or night, in high winds, and even during the rainy season,” Mr Barasa said. “This resilience ensures we fulfil our mission of saving lives. Whether there’s a medical emérgency at night or during a storm, our drones will deliver the necessary supplies, ensuring no one is left without critical care.”
Recognizing the challenges posed by staff shortages and the integration of new technology, Kericho County has initiated measures to confirm contract staff, creating a more supportive work environment.
Dr Peter Mugun, Medical Superintendent at Sigowet Sub-County Hospital, highlighted the county’s commitment to providing healthcare workers with the necessary training, resources, and recognition, ensuring the smooth adoption of Zipline’s technology.
Beyond healthcare, Zipline’s initiative is set to create local employment opportunities and drive innovation in Kericho County. All Zipline’s employees in Kenya are Kenyan. By training local talent to operate and maintain its technology, Zipline is contributing to the country’s economic growth while positioning itself as a leader in leveraging advanced technologies for public service delivery.
The potential of Zipline’s drones extends beyond healthcare, with applications in agriculture, disáster relief, and other sectors, promising to serve as a model for broader technological adoption across Kenya and beyond.
