The Kakamega County Government has launched an Integrated Specimen Referral System (ISRS) Plan aimed at improving the transportation of patient specimens across health facilities for specialised diagnosis and treatment.
The initiative, launched on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by the Department of Health Services in partnership with PATH Nuru Ya Mtoto, seeks to streamline specimen movement and strengthen laboratory services across the county.
The launch comes as Kakamega continues with the transition of health services and assumes greater responsibility for laboratory services previously supported by development partners.Speaking during the launch, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services CPA Livingstone Imbayi said the ISRS plan would help ensure continuity of essential health services for residents during the transition.
Photo|Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr Livingstone Imbayi
Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr David Alilah said the county was considering purchasing motorcycles through the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) to facilitate the transportation of specimens to county laboratories.
The move is expected to improve the speed and reliability of specimen transportation, particularly from health facilities that require specialised laboratory services.
Chief Officer for Public Health Rose Muhanda said the plan would also provide specialised training for specimen riders on proper specimen handling.She noted that proper handling and transportation of specimens was critical to maintaining the quality and reliability of laboratory results, ultimately improving healthcare delivery.
Meanwhile, PATH Nuru Ya Mtoto Technical Advisor for Laboratory Services Maureen Agalo said the organisation remained committed to supporting Kakamega County during the transition.
Photo|Nuru Ya Mtoto, Health CEC and Medical Services Chief Rose Muhanda
Agalo said the partnership would support the county as it assumes full responsibility for laboratory services that were previously supported by partners.
Also present during the launch were Director for Medical Services Dr Stephen Wandei and County CASCO Coordinator Dr Moses Okware.The county says the integrated referral system will strengthen coordination between health facilities and laboratories while improving access to timely and specialised diagnostic services for residents.