The airship flies as operators monitor it closely. [Silas Otieno, Standard]

The thrusters are powered by a battery. It uses helium. Helium is lighter than air hence the reason it floats. Hydrogen can also be used but since the 1937 incident, it is discouraged due to its flammability.

Henry Kotze, Cloudline lead software engineer, referencing the unkind history associated with airships, said technology has given this aviation innovation a lifeline.

"Technology has evolved. We are using new technology in storage, communication and propellers. That is proof that so far that airship can fly in fair weather," he said.

He explained that the airship is fitted with advanced technology and that in case of loss of communication while on transit, it will return 'home'.

"You can also configure it that if there is a landing site nearby, it will land in cases of emergency," he added.

He said the equipment is light. As such, even in cases of emergency landing, there will be minimal to no damage.

"Because it is light, it is very easy to control by rope as it would be like a kite. It also weighs so little so the impact on infrastructure building or people will be very minimal," he said.

The airship has the ability to make several stops. On landing, a rope can be hooked on it for the unloading process then released once again to continue with other deliveries. The firm said once approval by KCAA is done, another airship will be added that has a winch that can just release the supplies as it moves on.

Airship mark an advancement in drone technology that African nations are slowly embracing to deal with challenges in access for medical supplies. Rwanda has used drone technology provided by a US firm known as Zipline to supply blood and blood components out of Kigali, the country's capital.

"The good thing about airship is that it needs little infrastructure where it does deliveries," said Mr Kotze.