The request for a blood donation often arises at a moment of desperation in Kenya. When a patient’s blood levels drop dangerously low, families are thrown into a frantic scramble to find donors. For those whose loved ones are hospitalised nearby, mobilising friends and relatives might be manageable. But when treatment takes someone far from their support network, the situation becomes much more serious. Online appeals become the family’s lifeline, and when these pleas go unanswered, some go so far as to offer money to strangers, revealing just how strained the blood supply system really is.

Few people pause to consider how fragile life becomes during moments of crisis. A single acci-dent, surgical complication, childbirth emergency, or sudden illness can create an urgent need for blood. Yet, despite the universal reliance on this vital resource, Kenya’s blood banks remain chronically short. The World Health Organisation (WHO) notes that each donation involves ap-proximately 450 millilitres, just 10 per cent of an adult’s blood volume, and that the body replen-ishes this amount within about 36 hours. Healthy individuals aged 16 to 65 and weighing at least 50 kilogrammes are eligible to donate, but the issue is not eligibility – participation is.

The Ministry of Health, through the Kenya Blood Transfusion and Transplant Services (KBTTS), is re-sponsible for ensuring that every patient in need of blood can access it. However, the system de-pends solely on voluntary donations. According to WHO guidelines, Kenya requires at least 550,000 units of blood annually, roughly 1% of the population. This equates to approximately 1,500 units needed each day, a figure that steadily increases with population growth.

Dr. Martin Sirengo, Director of KBTTS, describes blood as a “strategic medical product” with a shelf life of only four weeks. This means the country must run continuous blood drives to maintain ade-quate stocks. Although the average national supply might appear stable at times, disparities per-sist across counties. Arid and semi-arid regions face cultural hesitations around blood donation and logistical challenges in collecting and storing blood. Meanwhile, counties like Nairobi, Kisu-mu, Mombasa, Nakuru, Embu, and Uasin Gishu collectively contribute about 40% of all dona-tions, creating a regional imbalance that can leave remote areas vulnerable.

One of the main challenges remains Kenya’s weak blood donation culture. Many Kenyans only donate when a relative urgently needs blood, rather than as a habitual act of goodwill. Schools and universities significantly contribute to the national supply, but this reliance creates seasonal shortages whenever institutions close. Until recently, donor-funded campaigns helped maintain public awareness and mobilise volunteers, but the gradual withdrawal of external funding has created gaps in advocacy and community education.

Funding constraints further complicate the system. It costs approximately KSh5,000 to collect, test, process, and prepare a single unit of blood for transfusion in the public sector. Nationally, this totals an annual budget of KSh2.75 billion. When funds are limited, essential supplies, testing, and storage are prioritised, while community outreach – the lifeline for donor recruitment – falls be-hind.

Nonetheless, innovative solutions are emerging. Professor Julius Ogeng’o, the founder of the Roaming Blood Bank, has introduced technology-based methods to boost donation rates. His initiative mainly aims to prevent deaths from postpartum haemorrhage, which is one of Kenya’s leading causes of maternal mortality. By utilising digital platforms, the Roaming Blood Bank builds a network of donors who can be contacted swiftly during emergencies. In just 11 days, the team collected an impressive 875 units during a recent drive, their highest tally yet. Their approach relies heavily on sharing real-life stories that highlight the impact of blood donation, a tactic that particularly resonates with young people on social media.

Behind the statistics are individuals whose consistency keeps the system running. Natasha Chebet, who has donated 24 times, grew up in a family that openly discussed blood and its significance. As an O+ blood type, she can donate to anyone with a Rhesus-positive blood type. For her, donating twice a year is not a burden but a tradition, one she plans to pass on to her children.

Philemon Kurgat, a universal donor, has given blood 60 times since 2004. He donates every three months and often says his body “knows” when it’s time. After losing his wife in a road accident, his commitment to saving lives deepened even further.

Kennedy Karuri has donated blood 80 times. He began during high school for the promise of so-da and bread but remained dedicated after recognising the urgent need. He often donates while travelling, even once making a trip from Eldoret to Murang’a to help someone who was unable to find donors locally.

Since turning 18, Job Macharia has donated 146 units. His journey began when he helped a woman in labour who urgently needed blood. Deeply moved, he committed himself to donating regularly and has never stopped.

These stories remind us that blood donation is not just a medical act, it is an act of humanity. In a time when Kenya’s health system continues to face shortages, these everyday heroes demonstrate that saving lives can start with something as simple as rolling up a sleeve.

(Source: Daily Nation)