The history of critical care in Kenya

Critical care is a young specialty in Kenya. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to present day Kenya, the bulk of this service has largely been provided by anaesthetists. We provide a detailed account of the growth and development of this specialty in our country, the attempts made by our people to grow this service within our borders and the vital role our international partners have played throughout this process. We also share a selection of our successes over the years, the challenges we have faced and our aspirations as we look to the future. •The growth and development of critical care in Kenya has largely been as a result of the efforts of anaesthetists.•International partnerships have played a significant role in the expansion of critical care services in Kenya.•Despite numerous challenges, its presence enabled other specialties achieve more than was previously thought possible.•The future of critical care in Kenya is bright, but new partnerships are vital to help it realize its full potential.