Kenya Expands Ambulance Services in Disaster-prone Areas

Kenya is scaling up its ambulance and emergency response capacity to better serve remote and disaster‑prone regions, health officials say. The Social Health Authority (SHA) is set to launch a National Emergency Ambulance Dispatch Service, complete with a central coordination centre, digital dispatch tools, and real‑time tracking. The system will use a toll‑free number and standardised ambulance tariffs — up to KSh 4,500 for the first 25 km — with SHA covering costs for the first 24 hours of hospitalisation.
To bolster rapid response in emergencies, the Ministry of Health, working with St. John Ambulance Kenya, has purchased six Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, established trauma clinics in critical regions like Emali and Karai, and trained over 10,000 first responders, including boda-boda riders and community volunteers. In additional county-level efforts, Marsabit County has reportedly added more ambulances and referral coordinators, while Meru County launched a dedicated Emergency Medical Care Plan (2024–2029), which includes a 24/7 county dispatch office and fleet optimization for hard-to-reach areas.
Health experts say these developments could significantly reduce avoidable deaths by improving access to pre-hospital care in remote locations and strengthening the emergency care system. Counties acknowledge challenges remain — funding constraints, vast terrain, and limited infrastructure — but the coordinated national and county-level strategy could mark a turning point in Kenya’s ability to respond to disasters and medical emergencies.