Kenya Rolls Out Training for Emergency First Responders

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has launched a major scale-up of training for emergency first responders, including community volunteers and boda‑boda (motorcycle taxi) riders. In collaboration with St. John Ambulance Kenya, the program aims to train more than 10,000 first responders in lifesaving skills — such as first aid, patient stabilization, and emergency scene care.
As part of the rollout, the Ministry is also working with the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) to professionalize emergency response. A new partnership with Inha University will enhance EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) training through curriculum development, technology transfer, and capacity building of EMTs to provide high-quality pre-hospital care.
To support this initiative, 19 first-aid posts and four trauma centers are being set up along major highways, in partnership with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and St. John Ambulance. These posts will be staffed with trained responders — including traffic police and boda‑boda riders — to stabilize crash victims during the critical first golden hour before transferring them to hospitals.
Other efforts include formalizing the professional roles of emergency medical personnel. The government has proposed establishing a scheme of service and a governing body for EMS staff, which will improve career pathways and standardize training and certification for paramedics and EMTs.
If you like, I can dig into which counties are already running these first responder trainings and where the gaps still are — do you want me to check?