NAIROBI, Kenya – The construction of East Africa’s first modern liquid oxygen manufacturing plant has officially commenced at Tatu Industrial Park, located within the Tatu City Special Economic Zone in Kenya.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Friday, was attended by prominent figures including U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman and Finland’s Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola.
This state-of-the-art facility is poised to meet the growing demand for medical-grade liquid oxygen across healthcare facilities in the region.
The plant, spearheaded by Hewatele, represents a significant collaboration between various development partners, including the United States Development Finance Corporation, the Finnish government through Finnfund, Grand Challenges Canada, Soros Economic Development Fund, and the UBS Optimus Foundation of Switzerland.
The total investment in the project amounts to $20 million (approximately KSh 2.5 billion).
Hewatele founder Bernard Olayo emphasized the importance of the project, noting that it will ensure the consistent availability of high-quality oxygen in healthcare facilities, a critical component in achieving universal healthcare and boosting the country’s economic growth.
“Access to quality emergency healthcare services is a fundamental human right that enhances the quality of life, allowing citizens to focus on personal and business development. Achieving universal healthcare requires global solidarity and resource mobilization,” Olayo stated.
Ambassador Whitman hailed the project as a significant achievement for Kenya, expressing pride in the U.S. partnership with Hewatele.
“The United States is proud to partner with Hewatele on the opening of this important plant. This facility is a win-win for Kenya. It will improve healthcare in the country and provide jobs in a growing industry,” she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Ambassador Tapiola highlighted the project’s role in enhancing the oxygen supply chain and improving emergency preparedness in Kenya.
“This partnership will enhance the affordable oxygen supply chain and ensure effective emergency preparedness. Finland is proud to support this project, and we expect it to have a significant development impact on Kenya’s healthcare sector,” Tapiola remarked.
Once completed, the plant will have a daily production capacity of 20 tonnes of medical-grade oxygen.
The importance of such a facility was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic when Kenya, like many other countries, struggled with oxygen shortages as hospitals grappled with the treatment of critical cases.
This modern liquid oxygen plant is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that the region is better prepared for future healthcare challenges.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Friday, was attended by prominent figures including U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman and Finland’s Ambassador Pirkka Tapiola.
This state-of-the-art facility is poised to meet the growing demand for medical-grade liquid oxygen across healthcare facilities in the region.
The plant, spearheaded by Hewatele, represents a significant collaboration between various development partners, including the United States Development Finance Corporation, the Finnish government through Finnfund, Grand Challenges Canada, Soros Economic Development Fund, and the UBS Optimus Foundation of Switzerland.
The total investment in the project amounts to $20 million (approximately KSh 2.5 billion).
Hewatele founder Bernard Olayo emphasized the importance of the project, noting that it will ensure the consistent availability of high-quality oxygen in healthcare facilities, a critical component in achieving universal healthcare and boosting the country’s economic growth.
“Access to quality emergency healthcare services is a fundamental human right that enhances the quality of life, allowing citizens to focus on personal and business development. Achieving universal healthcare requires global solidarity and resource mobilization,” Olayo stated.
Ambassador Whitman hailed the project as a significant achievement for Kenya, expressing pride in the U.S. partnership with Hewatele.
“The United States is proud to partner with Hewatele on the opening of this important plant. This facility is a win-win for Kenya. It will improve healthcare in the country and provide jobs in a growing industry,” she said.
Echoing similar sentiments, Ambassador Tapiola highlighted the project’s role in enhancing the oxygen supply chain and improving emergency preparedness in Kenya.
“This partnership will enhance the affordable oxygen supply chain and ensure effective emergency preparedness. Finland is proud to support this project, and we expect it to have a significant development impact on Kenya’s healthcare sector,” Tapiola remarked.
Once completed, the plant will have a daily production capacity of 20 tonnes of medical-grade oxygen.
The importance of such a facility was underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic when Kenya, like many other countries, struggled with oxygen shortages as hospitals grappled with the treatment of critical cases.
This modern liquid oxygen plant is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure and ensuring that the region is better prepared for future healthcare challenges.
