The Catholic Archdiocese of Nyeri has unveiled an innovative way of obtaining medical oxygen that is expected to drastically cut costs for its health facilities and save more lives.
Through its newly commissioned “Seeds of Energy” Solar Project at the Mathari Complex, the Archdiocese will use solar power to run processes including the production of hydrogen and oxygen, Archbishop Anthony Muheria said during the groundbreaking ceremony. The project is the first solar station under the Archdiocese’s Solarization Program.
According to Archbishop Muheria, the initiative is designed to support the holistic mission of the Church by raising awareness on environmental stewardship while presenting a major cost-saving opportunity. He said the savings from power and oxygen self-production will be redirected towards evangelization and community services, with educational institutions also benefiting as the site will serve as a practical learning hub for alternative energy.
The Project Manager, Mr. Stephen Mutinda, said the solar plant will power all facilities within the Mathari Complex and extend its benefits to 15 additional facilities outside the complex. The facility joins other oxygen innovations in Nyeri, where the County already operates a 2.6 million litre capacity oxygen generation plant at Mwai Kibaki Level VI Hospital in Othaya.
The launch was graced by Bishop Peter Kimani Ndung’u of Embu, Governor Mutahi Kahiga, representatives from Starkmacher Impact Africa, KPLC and the Nyeri County Government. The Archdiocese said the model will be replicated in other dioceses as a sustainable solution to the high cost of oxygen in Kenya.
How it works explained:The innovators are using Solar-powered water electrolysis. The core chemistry is:
