By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, 23 April 2026 - Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has revealed that the government is expanding the use of drones to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, the Healthcare Boss said that the drones shall be utilised to supply essential commodities, such as blood, in areas affected by disasters.
Duale said that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) shall also be equipped with the technology soon, as part of a broader effort to improve its logistics and efficiency, ensuring faster supply of medicines in hard-to-reach areas.
“ On supply chain continuity, that is why we are saying that KEMSA is fully capitalised, with maintenance of buffer stocks, diversified sourcing, and improved logistics," Duale said.
“ We are also introducing drones to ensure that essential items such as blood reach people who have been affected by bad weather in some parts of our country,” he added.
To supplement this, the CS said that the government is also erecting early disease warning systems to ensure that the government implements the necessary measures to shield Kenyans against climate-triggered diseases.
The use of drones is not a new thing in the country. In fact, some county governments have partnered with global companies such as Zipline, a company in instant logistics, to supply health commodities in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Kisumu became the first county in Kenya to launch operational drone deliveries. By 2024, the program had completed over commercial deliveries to more than 400 health facilities.
Other counties that have piloted the program include Kericho, Homa Bay, Nyamira, and Makueni.
The revelation came just a day after the Kenya Meteorological Department revealed that several regions should brace for heavy rains until Monday, April 27.
April is usually the peak of the March-April- May rains, which are typically coupled with floods, flash floods, and poor visibility.
In a heavy rainfall advisory issued on Tuesday, the weatherman said that within the next 24 hours, rainfall is set to exceed 20mm in the coastal region and parts of the Northeastern and Southeastern lowlands.
Duale Reveals Plans to Expand the Use of Drones During Climate Disasters
The Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has revealed that the government is expanding the use of drones to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, the Healthcare Boss said that the drones shall be utilised to supply essential commodities, such as blood, in areas affected by disasters.
Duale said that the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) shall also be equipped with the technology soon, as part of a broader effort to improve its logistics and efficiency, ensuring faster supply of medicines in hard-to-reach areas.
“On supply chain continuity, that is why we are saying that KEMSA is fully capitalised, with maintenance of buffer stocks, diversified sourcing, and improved logistics," Duale said.
“We are also introducing drones to ensure that essential items such as blood reach people who have been affected by bad weather in some parts of our country,” he added.
To supplement this, the CS said that the government is also erecting early disease warning systems to ensure that the government implements the necessary measures to shield Kenyans against climate-triggered diseases.
The use of drones is not a new thing in the country. In fact, some county governments have partnered with global companies such as Zipline, a company in instant logistics, to supply health commodities in remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Kisumu became the first county in Kenya to launch operational drone deliveries. By 2024, the program had completed over commercial deliveries to more than 400 health facilities.
Other counties that have piloted the program include Kericho, Homa Bay, Nyamira, and Makueni.
The revelation came just a day after the Kenya Meteorological Department revealed that several regions should brace for heavy rains until Monday, 27 April 2026.
April is usually the peak of the March-April- May rains, which are typically coupled with floods, flash floods, and poor visibility.
In a heavy rainfall advisory issued on Tuesday, the weatherman said that within the next 24 hours, rainfall is set to exceed 20mm in the coastal region and parts of the Northeastern and Southeastern lowlands.
More from Kenya