Zipline Kenya's Country Director, CHARLES KARIUKI, describes how the company is utilizing drone technology to enhance access to medical and essential supplies in four counties located in the Lake region. He outlines what the future could hold, including potential expansion into animal health and eventual home delivery of food items and electronic gadgets purchased online, all within minutes. He shared these insights with Star's John Muchangi.
QUESTION: At times, a mother may be bleeding to death in a hospital with no available blood, and the closest supply is two hours away. Zipline claims it can address this issue. How?
ANSWER: Definitely. Emergency deliveries are a fundamental aspect of our work, but they are not the sole focus of our services.In case of an emergency, blood serves as the best example. Obstetric emergencies, particularly postpartum hemorrhage, demand immediate transfusion. Conventional transportation can take hours because of distance, difficult terrain, or absence of ambulances. Zipline provides delivery within minutes.
We also provide antivenoms, antimalarial drugs, oxytocin, rabies post-exposure treatment, adrenaline, and various emergency medicines. Healthcare workers frequently inform us that our deliveries have saved lives that would have been lost otherwise.
Many of us are only familiar with the emergency delivery aspect of Zipline's activities. Could you share details about your operations in Kenya?
Zipline is the leading autonomous logistics company globally, committed to enabling people around the world to receive the products they require whenever and wherever they need them. We have been operating in Kenya for approximately three years. We started establishing our presence in 2022 in Chemelil, Awasi, but actual operations only began a year later because of regulatory clearances.
We employ drones to transport various items, including delicate medical supplies, which necessitate comprehensive approvals from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the Ministry of Defence, the Kenya Air Force, and the Ministry of Interior. Additionally, we manage a top-tier distribution center in Kisumu equipped with cold-chain facilities, all approved by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and operated by certified pharmacists.
We provide both essential and non-essential medications, blood (including elements like frozen plasma), and vaccines. Our primary clients are healthcare institutions, predominantly public ones, as roughly 70–80 percent of healthcare facilities in Kenya are government-run.
From our Kisumu distribution center, which covers an area of approximately 38,000 square kilometers, we are able to reach all 14 counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc. At present, we are providing services to Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kericho, and Nyamira counties.
Why only four counties so far?
Onboarding a county involves a thorough procedure. We begin with the governors, followed by the CECMs for Health, chief officers, directors of health, and the County Health Management Team. Once the county approves, our GIS team maps the facilities to identify which ones are within drone range and safe airspace.
Zipline drones can travel up to 100 km in one direction (200 km for a round trip). However, we are not allowed to pass through specific "no-fly zones," such as areas near airports or military sites. For instance, Kisumu International Airport covers a significant region that we need to stay away from.
Once secure pathways are established, we carry out community outreach to ensure individuals comprehend the technology and do not perceive drones as surveillance devices. Subsequently, facilities are trained in placing, receiving, and confirming deliveries.
How do medical centers place orders and receive shipments?
Orders can be placed using a free phone number or WhatsApp. Each location has a designated drop-off area that is already approved. When the drone is five minutes away, the staff get automatic notifications. The drone then reduces speed, opens its compartment, and releases the package with a biodegradable parachute.
After a package is received, the staff confirm the delivery by scanning a QR code or using USSD. Zipline only processes deliveries once orders have been verified by our fulfillment team. Delicate items such as vaccines are carefully packaged to ensure their effectiveness and prevent damage.
Which teams manage your distribution center?
We have two primary groups: The first is the fulfillment team, which includes pharmacists, medical professionals, and trained personnel responsible for managing medical supplies, vaccines, and blood products.
The second group consists of flight operations and engineering personnel responsible for assembling and maintaining drones, handling batteries, and supervising takeoffs and landings.
We also provide animal health products. Rwanda successfully utilizes Zipline for artificial insemination in pigs, and Kenya has a large livestock industry. Thanks to our cold chain infrastructure, we can deliver vaccines and AI semen effectively and maintain the proper temperature.
Besides quick delivery, what other advantages do you offer to countries?
Zipline helps minimize both excess inventory and insufficient stock. Excess stock results in expiration and monetary losses. Insufficient stock causes patient dissatisfaction and erodes trust in the facilities, particularly for mothers looking for vaccines.
If a mother goes to a clinic and discovers there is no vaccine available, she might not come back, leading to children who receive no vaccines. Zipline ensures that facilities always have the necessary supplies when they are needed.
A dependable supply also enhances the system at the upstream level. When counties prevent stock-outs, they reduce their dependence on private suppliers, some of whom have been associated with fake products. This rebuilds confidence in public health facilities and the broader medical supply chain.
How many deliveries have you made in Kenya to date?
We have carried out almost 25,000 flights in Kenya, delivering over 400,000 vaccine doses, almost 2,000 units of blood, and affecting more than one million people.
We also organize blood donation events in schools and local areas. After collection, the blood is tested at the Regional Blood Transfusion Centre. They retain half, while the remaining half is transported to hospitals as required through Zipline.
Have you obtained any impact data specific to Kenya yet?
Our monitoring and evaluation team is in the process of completing Kenya's impact report. However, global studies highlight distinct advantages. In Rwanda, blood waste was reduced by more than 60 percent, and maternal mortality saw a significant decline in hospitals that utilized Zipline. In Ghana, missed vaccinations decreased considerably.We anticipate comparable results in Kenya.
What can you tell me about the velocity and storage capabilities of your drones?
A Zipline drone can transport up to three kilograms. It travels at speeds of approximately 120 kilometers per hour, taking between five and 45 minutes to reach its destination, depending on the distance. One distribution center can handle 150 deliveries in 12 hours, or as many as 300 if operating for 24 hours.
In Rwanda, a single facility handles over 400 births each day. The volume is immense when considering the daily amount of medical supplies transported.
How many individuals is Zipline hiring in Kenya?
We employ over 40 people in Kenya, along with additional personnel assisting the African region. Every distribution center requires a minimum of 30 staff members, with numbers increasing as deliveries grow.
In Africa, Zipline has 400 to 500 employees, all of whom are locals. At our Kisumu facility, approximately 60 percent are women, and the majority are under 30 years old. We recruit graduates directly from university, offer them training, and create opportunities for advancement. Several have climbed the ranks or transitioned into higher positions in other areas.
How do you collaborate with authorities such as KCAA?
We maintain a strong collaboration with all regulatory bodies. Kenya's drone industry is still developing, and regulators need to focus on ensuring safety. Each flight path requires approval from multiple agencies, including the KCAA, the Ministry of Defence, the Interior, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and the Kenya Air Force.
This guarantees safe air space but may hinder growth. We have suggested an "area approval" system, in which authorities approve extensive sections of airspace rather than specific routes. This approach would significantly speed up access for underrepresented regions.
KCAA conducts regular audits and yearly license renewals, and Zipline adheres completely.
What about local groups? Are individuals worried about sound levels, or do they believe the drones are engaged in hidden monitoring?
Zipline drones are notably quiet when compared to conventional aircraft. During community interactions, the majority of residents show interest rather than worry.
As long as individuals comprehend the contents being transported by drones, particularly blood, vaccines, and urgent medications, the response is overwhelmingly favorable. At times, people inquire whether drones serve as cameras or surveillance devices. We make it clear that they are not equipped with cameras and cannot capture any data. Openness is essential.
Several Kenyans also link drones to potential security threats.
We involve local leaders, chiefs, elders, and community health advocates prior to launching any route. We introduce people to the drones, describe their functionality, and let them handle and examine the packages.
Zipline drones are equipped with no cameras, arms, or surveillance equipment. They are unable to remain stationary in the air; instead, they adhere to a set route and move across the sky quietly.
All security mechanisms are computerized. Unmanned aerial vehicles seldom experience accidents, and in the event they do, there are established procedures, such as prompt recovery by qualified personnel and automatic notification to authorities.
How do you manage issues caused by weather conditions?
Our drones are capable of handling rain, high temperatures, and light winds. However, severe weather conditions could cause delays in launching. We use real-time weather tracking and have radio operators present. Every drone completes almost 600 automated safety inspections prior to departure.
If a drone cancels a flight because of weather conditions, we promptly send another one to reduce delays.
What are your plans for growth in Kenya?
We will share more information shortly. Several counties in central, southern, and northern Kenya have sought our assistance. Our objective is to grow substantially to ensure more Kenyans can access dependable delivery of medical and essential supplies.
I know you also offer confidential HIV-related deliveries. Can you explain how that works?
Adolescents and young adults living with HIV frequently encounter stigma, and many fail to regularly visit facilities for refills. Zipline's confidential delivery system enables clinics to obtain ARVs and associated supplies swiftly and privately.
We do not ship directly to individuals; instead, we deliver to health facilities or outreach locations. However, the speed, dependability, and confidentiality regarding stock levels make a significant impact.
Under the Elton John AIDS Foundation initiative, we provided support for HIV testing, screening, and the distribution of prevention methods. We collaborated with community health promoters who connected with young individuals in schools, markets, and other youth-friendly locations. When someone tested positive, we assisted in making sure that clinical facilities had their medication available.
We engaged with over 100,000 teenagers and young adults during that time.
But can you imagine home deliveries in Kenya happening soon?
Indeed, this represents the long-term goal. On a global scale, Zipline's Platform 2 delivers to residences and companies through a compact, quiet robot that descends to a doorstep. This service is currently operational in the United States and Nigeria. Kenya is expected to implement it once regulations develop further.
The need will be significant in online shopping, food delivery, medicine, and urgent supplies. For the time being, our main focus is enhancing the healthcare supply chain.
How are counties billed for services? What is the revenue model?
Counties buy delivery credits in large quantities. For instance, a county might purchase a package containing 3,000 deliveries, which is valid for a set time frame. Facilities can then place unlimited orders as long as they have available credits.
This model offers counties predictable expenses and adaptability. It also ensures that facilities are not billed per item, but only per delivery. We do not increase drug prices. All supplies are sourced from the counties' own vendors (KEMSA or other suppliers). We just handle the delivery.