Kenyans turned up at Uhuru Park to donate blood despite the heavy rain downpour witnessed across the country to mark Valentine's Day.
Residents of Nairobi joined the Damu Sasa drive aimed at boosting Kenya's blood bank that has been affected ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) has urged Kenyans to turn up and donate blood as a contribution in saving lives.
All the blood collected during the exercise will be used to enrich the blood bank - and save lives of especially women and children during child birth.
The KNBTS has adopted a technology that allows for tracking of each individual unit donated up to when it gets to the patient.
CS Mutahi Kagwe had on Wednesday , February 10, asked Kenyans to forgo flowers and instead donate blood on Valentine's Day, a call many heeded to.
“If there is a gift that would be a fantastic gift to give to Kenyans on Valentine’s Day it is blood,” Kagwe said during the blood donation drive.
“If asked to choose between flowers or receiving a blood donation certificate, forfeit the flowers, “he advised.
The DCI in March 2020 investigated officers at the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) who were believed to be part of a cartel that steals blood donated by Kenyans before selling in neighbouring Somalia.
“The ministry is aware that there are criminal elements both within and outside the country who are colluding with outsiders to escalate the problems pertaining to blood countrywide,” CS Kagwe said.
“These cartels have been engaged in blood trade within as well as outside the country for selfish gain without any regard to women and children dying in hospitals as a result of blood shortage,” he added.
This kind move by Kenyans to donate blood on Valentine’s Day will go a long way in ensuring the blood bank is sufficiently equipped. Kenyans who are in need of the rare commodity will therefore get it in time and this will reduce avoidable deaths that result from shortage of blood.
