On Monday, 12th May 2025, the Kitui County Ministry of Health and Sanitation boosted its renal care capacity through the procurement of two new hemodialysis machines, each valued at KES 2.3 million. These machines, added to the five already in use at the facility, will enhance service delivery at the county’s renal unit, offering critical support to patients suffering from kidney-related illnesses.
Alongside this equipment upgrade, Kitui is constructing a fully-fledged renal unit that will serve as a regional referral center for the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB). Once completed, the facility will cater to patients from Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, Garissa, and Tana River counties.
The demand for dialysis services in Kitui has been rising steadily, with the renal unit attending to an average of 339 dialysis patients per month in 2022—a number that more than doubled to 672 patients per month in 2024. The increase reflects a growing burden of kidney disease and a greater need for accessible renal care.
“We now have a total of seven dialysis machines, which means more patients can be served without delays,” said Chief Officer for Drugs and Medical Supplies, Aggrey Kamba. “The construction of the regional renal unit marks a major milestone in our journey toward decentralizing specialized healthcare. We’re not only serving Kitui residents but also strengthening regional health systems across SEKEB,” added C.O. Kamba.
The move aligns with Governor Dr. Julius Malombe’s development agenda to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce the need for patient referrals to distant hospitals.
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