Kitui County has installed two additional dialysis machines, valued at KES 2.3 million each, to expand its renal care services.
The new additions raise the total number of machines in the county’s renal unit to seven, a move aimed at easing the burden on the overstretched facility and reducing long wait times for patients.
The machines, acquired through the Kitui County Ministry of Health and Sanitation, are already operational and supporting patients with chronic kidney conditions.
County officials say the initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen specialised medical services and improve health outcomes across the region.
“This expansion allows us to treat more patients promptly and effectively,” said Aggrey Kamba, the Chief Officer for Drugs and Medical Supplies. “With the new machines, our capacity has increased significantly.”
Kitui has also embarked on the construction of a regional renal centre that will serve as a referral hub for counties in the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB), including Machakos, Makueni, Garissa, and Tana River.
The facility is expected to offer advanced renal services, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for care.
The demand for dialysis in Kitui has soared in recent years. Monthly dialysis sessions jumped from 339 in 2022 to 672 in 2024, underscoring the growing prevalence of kidney disease in the region.
Governor Dr. Julius Malombe has prioritised health sector investment as part of his administration’s pledge to enhance access to quality healthcare. The ongoing developments are seen as a critical step toward decentralising specialist services and alleviating pressure on national referral hospitals.
