President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday July 15, ordered 500 jua kali beds from two youths in Githurai, Kiambu county that set the internet ablaze.
The beds are being manufactured by 26-year-old Mungai Gathogo and Joseph Muhinja, 35 who had previously been making metallic gates, window grills and doors.
A statement from the President's Delivery Unit revealed Uhuru's order and added that the beds will be inspected by Kenya Bureau Of Standards (KEBS) before being handed over to hospitals around the country.
"President Kenyatta has given a major boost to two youthful innovators behind locally manufactured hospital beds by instructing the Government to immediately procure 500 beds.
"The beds that are made from locally sourced material from their workshop in Githunguri, Kiambu county, will be subjected to standardization tests by KEBS," a statement from PDU reads in part.
The beds will be a vital aid to public hospitals that are reeling under the pressure of Covid-19-related hospital admissions.
The innovation is complete with heavy-duty wheels, a drip stand, table stand for comfort while eating, space for the storage of an oxygen tank and hideaway bed rails.
Photos of the high-quality hospital beds went viral on Saturday, July 11, sparking calls from a section of Kenyans for relevant government agencies to support the artisans.
Back in 2017 the duo made a shot at politics with Gathogo contesting for the Kiambu County Senate seat while Kamau, Gathogo’s friend and business partner in their current venture vied for an MCA seat in Githunguri Subcounty.
Gathongo and Muhinja have made most of the pandemic as they started off by supplying face masks and sanitisers which became a flooded market after a few weeks.
The duo sold the prototype for Ksh150,000 with similar beds being priced at Ksh 65,000, which allows them to make quite a profit as they spend Ksh 45,000-40,000 to manufacture one.
With the 500 bed order from the President, Gathongo and Muhinja are set to pocket Ksh32.5 million.
Aside from Uhuru's order, Gathogo and Muhinja have received offers from hospital administrators, medical personnel and county governments with some from as far as Lamu County.
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