Kenya Faces Shortage of Blood Donors Amid Rising Demand

Kenyan health authorities say the country is grappling with a serious blood shortage as demand rises sharply, outpacing the current rate of voluntary blood donations. The Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) collects only around 150,000–160,000 units per year, far below the roughly 500,000 units needed to meet national hospital demand.
Experts attribute the shortfall to several overlapping factors. Chronic illnesses — including cancer — along with road accidents, maternal emergencies, and even injuries from demonstrations have dramatically increased the need for transfusions. At the same time, public hesitancy and myths around donation linger: many potential donors are deterred by fears of HIV screening and other perceived risks.
In response, counties and organizations are launching targeted blood‑drive campaigns. Meru County, for example, recently kicked off a 30‑day drive in partnership with the Kenya Red Cross to boost its transfusion centre’s reserves. Leaders are urging more Kenyans — particularly regular, voluntary donors — to step forward, warning that reliance on family or replacement donors is not a sustainable solution.
Public health officials are calling for a sustained national effort to promote voluntary non-remunerated blood donation. According to them, regular donation is critical to building safe and reliable blood stock, closing the gap, and preventing life‑threatening emergencies in hospitals.