Drone logistics company Zipline has been working with the Kenyan government, distributing medica supplies in Kisumu County since 2025. Now the government wants to expand the deployment of drone technology beyond just medica delivery.
The country’s health secretary Aden Duale recently let it known that his government was expanding the use of drones to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters.
This will not be without precedent; the government in Kenya saw first-hand what drone technology can do when floods swept parts of the country in Apri 2024. When the floods visited Nairobi and surrounding areas, drone services start-up Kenya Flying Labs deployed drones to conduct rapid aerial surveys, capturing real-time imagery and data to assess the extent of damage and identify areas in need of immediate assistance.
“This bird’s-eye view enables responders to prioritise resources and coordinate relief efforts more efficiently,” the start-up said at the time.
The work of the drones and other recovery and relief efforts helped authorities and disaster management stakeholders in identifying areas of priority need, with residents being asked to move to higher ground for their own safety.
People living in areas identified as too dangerous areas around the country – such as near rivers, dams and water reservoirs – were moved to land provided by the National Youth Service.
The national government and the military were also mobilised to work with counties to support those in distress. Kiambu county announced measures to mitigate the situation, including building inspections.
It would be small wonder therefore, that Duale, in an address to parliament recently, said the drones would be used to supply essential commodities, such as blood, in areas affected by disasters.
The revelation came just a day after the Kenya Meteorological Department revealed that several regions should brace for heavy rains until 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.
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.
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.
After Kisumu last year, Kenya’s medical delivery by drone operations also expanded into counties that include Kericho, Homa Bay, Nyamira, and Makueni.
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.