MESHACK Otieno cut and took measurements on metal bars meant to make a bed frame in his open-air workshop domiciled in Juja town, located about 30 km north of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
But this bed is not the usual variety, it is a locally assembled, fully functional one tailor-made for hospitals.
Otieno, a father of three has stunned many Kenyans with his ingenuity of assembling hospital beds using locally sourced materials to help deal with surging Covid-19 patients.
‘I started welding a long time ago but my interest in hospital beds was birthed in 2018 when a client approached me with a blueprint of a bed,’ Otieno said.
‘After successfully delivering the order, I decided to venture into this field full time. My big break, however, came this year after a local television station highlighted my work,’ he added.
The global pandemic has notably altered the way of life from folding businesses to limiting our social interaction.
However, in Kenya, it has also exposed areas that were not fully exploited, for instance, the local manufacturing industry, work from home formulas, and virtual gatherings.
‘These beds use locally sourced materials that we get at a relatively fair price, subsequently, the price point of the beds is quite affordable because, with 3,000 shillings (about $28), you can get a bed that will offer comfort to a patient,” said Otieno.
‘If you compare these beds with the imported kind that retail at about 850 U.S. dollars, the difference is significant,’ he added.
President Uhuru Kenyatta in July ordered the purchase of 500 hospital beds from two local artisans who made them using materials at their disposal.
The move was seen to reflect Kenyatta’s stand in supporting the local industry with his mantra ‘Buy Kenya Build Kenya’.
Betty Maina, cabinet secretary for trade recently lauded the local industry players for keeping their machines running during the pandemic and developing solutions to aid the country at a time of constrained supplies from overseas.
‘Local industry has demonstrated its capability to produce goods previously thought to only be imported. This will lead to job and wealth creation by bridging the trade deficit, as we look forward to post-Covid-19 recovery,’ said Maina.
Otieno on his part said he hoped to secure even more contracts to supply his beds that come with a medical mattress to homes and health facilities.
‘These beds are durable and this venture can easily create employment for many youths. I can only cross my fingers and hope that my work catches the attention of many people,’ said Otieno.
