Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia slams govt over nationwide blood shortage
By Loise Wambugu, December 4, 2025Mukurwe-ini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia has attributed the current nationwide blood shortage to the government’s failure to purchase essential reagents and blood bags.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, in Mukurwe-ini Constituency, Kaguchia said that although many Kenyans continue to donate blood, much of it goes to waste due to the lack of proper storage bags and the reagents required to test donated blood.
“Today we have a very serious and acute shortage of blood in our hospitals, something that both the Cabinet Secretary and the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health have acknowledged,” Kaguchia said.
“They have declared that we will now prioritise distribution of blood to high-demand hospitals and institutions, which I consider rationing of blood in Kenya, despite the fact that so many people are willing to donate,” he noted.
He added that the Ministry of Health needs only KSh 400 million to purchase adequate blood bags and reagents to address the crisis.
“The government only requires KSh400M to do this. But what is happening?
“The money is being taken to churches, harambees, donations, and other useless empowerment arrangements instead of being directed to hospitals or the blood donation and transfusion services,” he said.
According to the MP, patients who require blood transfusions continue to suffer because the government has failed to prioritise urgent medical needs.
“This has become a major problem. Women giving birth, especially those on the operating table who urgently need blood, are struggling to access it because the government cannot buy reagents and blood bags.
This is mediocrity of the highest order, and we must call out these issues in government,” Kaguchia emphasised.