Health
CS Aden Duale speaking at Garissa High
School during the national celebrations to mark World Blood Donor Day 2026/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Millions of Kenyans who voluntarily donate blood are the unsung heroes keeping the country’s healthcare system running, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has said.
Speaking during World Blood Donor Day celebrations at Garissa High School, Duale paid tribute to blood donors for their selfless contribution to saving lives and challenged more Kenyans to embrace regular blood donation.
“My hats off to the millions of Kenyans who continue to come out and donate blood. Every unit of blood donated goes a long way in saving a life,” he said.
The event, held under the theme “One Drop of Humanity: Give Blood, Save Lives", brought together healthcare workers, blood donors, development partners and local leaders.
Duale said blood remains one of the most critical resources in healthcare, supporting mothers facing childbirth complications, children suffering from severe anaemia, cancer patients, surgical patients and road accident victims.
“You only understand the importance of blood donation when a close relative is in hospital and urgently needs blood. Let us all make it a habit to donate blood because blood remains one of the most essential and irreplaceable health products in our healthcare system,” he said.
The CS raised concern over maternal deaths linked to excessive bleeding during childbirth, saying access to blood remains a matter of life and death for many women.
“Nearly 40 per cent of expectant mothers who die during childbirth do so because of blood-related complications. We do not want our mothers to die because of the lack of available blood,” he said.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health and President William Ruto’s administration, Duale thanked voluntary blood donors for supporting thousands of patients in need of life-saving treatment.
“Your service and contribution have enabled thousands of patients to receive life-saving treatment and regain hope. Blood is a fundamental pillar of Universal Health Coverage,” he said.
The celebrations coincided with the commissioning of the state-of-the-art Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion Centre, a facility expected to strengthen blood services across northern Kenya.
According to Duale, the centre will serve Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Tana River, Lamu and Kitui counties by enhancing blood collection, testing, storage and distribution.
“Today we have commissioned the state-of-the-art Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion Centre. This is a region that requires this facility, and it will play a critical role in ensuring timely access to safe blood for patients across several counties,” he said.
Duale also praised the Kenya National Blood Transfusion and Transplant Service, led by Director Dr Martin Sirengo, for maintaining adequate blood supplies across the country.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama described the launch as a major boost to healthcare services in the region, noting that every unit of blood donated can save up to three lives.
“Too many lives are lost because blood is not available when it is needed most. That is why today is not just a celebration but a call to action. We must strengthen voluntary blood donation so that no life is lost due to blood shortages,” Jama said.
Several regular blood donors were recognised during the event for their contribution to saving lives through voluntary blood donation.
Health CS Aden Duale presents an award to Garissa woman representative Udgoon Siyad for being among those who have
consistently donated blood. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Leaders at
Garissa High School during the national celebrations to mark World Blood Donor
Day 2026./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The newly opened state-of-the-art Garissa Regional Blood Transfusion
Centre./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Dr Martin Sirengo, the Director, Kenya National Blood
Transfusion and Transplant Service speaking at the event. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Health CS Aden Duale
has a word with Garissa governor Nathif Jama. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
