Two innovators – Mungai Gathogo and Joseph Muhinja – from Kiambu are set to rake in KSh 32.5 million after the State promised to buy locally made hospital beds from them
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday, July 15 sent a team led by President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) Secretary Andrew Wakahiu to officiate the deal with the innovators.
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The President’s Delivery Unit (PDU) said the State will buy 500 beds under the ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’ campaign.
A single bed retails at KSh 65,000.
“I have been sent by His Excellency the President to congratulate the young innovators and to confirm the Government’s commitment to supporting local innovations and products by providing a market for our own under the Buy-KenyaBuild-Kenya policy,” Wakahiu said in a statement.
The statement added that the beds will be inspected by Kenya Bureau Of Standards (KEBS) before being handed over to hospitals.
“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,” the statement added.
However, the move has sparked outrage on social media after Meshack Otieno, a Juja artisan who also makes hospital beds was sidelined.
Most netizens slammed the President’s Delivery Unit arguing that the tender could have been split for both innovators to benefit.
Check out the reactions below:
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Thomas: Consider buying from Otieno too. He should also get a share of that 500 beds ordered by President Uhuru.
Sam Masika: Why would you buy all 500 beds from one person when we’ve many youths showcasing better skills than this? You could spread that money for all the youths making these beds. Sad republic.
Vince Mikel: Otieno has been displaced just like that! Anyway,hii mambo BBI itamaliza.
Sir Edwin: The so called Mungai beds are Beach Beds. Otieno’s bed on the other hand put Chinese manufacturers to shame. Wake me up when Kenya is at least fair if we CANNOT be even.
Philip Etale: Now that Pres. Uhuru has directed govt to buy 500 beds from Gathogo, I suggest Gvn. Oparanya and the @KenyaGovernors to consider buying another 500 from Meshack Otieno. Ama namna gani jameni?
John Douglas: Meshack otieno’s bed is of higher quality. ICU and any other hospital bedding should not be wooden. It is unhygienic. Some patients pee on bed and cleaning a wooden surface frequently doesn’t guarantee hygiene.
Jungle Amollo: You want to take wooden beds to ICU, the wooden bed is good for nyali beach. Otieno is capable of making standard ICU bed. Simple, Light, easily to clean and disinfect. Can be easily moved between wards in case of emergency. Highly adjustable.
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Dr. Njenga Karugia: On President’s Delivery Unit they make it sound like only Kiambu beds were trending. Otieno was trending too! They brought Kiambu beds to Kenyatta’s attention. Then Uhuru personally sent them to Kiambu. When they spell ‘Adrew’ – pray! Tribal cartels denied Otieno an opportunity
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