President William Ruto has unveiled a series of reforms aimed at improving emergency medical services across the country, saying the new measures are intended to save lives by ensuring faster response times and removing financial barriers that often delay treatment.
Addressing participants during the 95th St John Ambulance Annual Parade and Inspection at State House, Nairobi, the President commended the organisation’s 62,000 volunteers for their contribution to emergency response and first aid services, describing them as an important pillar of the country’s healthcare system.
Ruto said the government had identified gaps in emergency care that have contributed to avoidable deaths, particularly where accident victims are denied immediate treatment because of concerns over medical bills.
“Under universal health coverage that I promised Kenyans, which is now being implemented full scale across the country. We also determined that in the past we’ve lost many lives because there isn’t a proper emergency service and that any accident victims when they get to hospitals are sked who will pay the bill, as the government and to sort out the problem that was giving us serous outcome,” said Ruto.
As part of the reforms, the Head of State announced the establishment of a National Ambulance Dispatch Centre in Nairobi, which will coordinate emergency operations by linking ambulances, hospitals and first responders through a centralized system.
He said the service will enable quicker deployment of emergency teams and will be available to all Kenyans without charge, regardless of their registration status.
“To strengthen emergency care, we are setting up a National Ambulance Dispatch Centre in Nairobi, which will coordinate activities and ensure faster arrival times. The service will be free for every Kenyan,” said Ruto.
The President also revealed that the Social Health Authority (SHA) will broaden its emergency cover to cater for evacuation and treatment costs during the first 24 hours after an incident, with support also extending to patients suffering from chronic and critical illnesses as part of the government’s wider universal health coverage programme.
In recognition of St John Ambulance Kenya’s longstanding role in emergency response, the government announced a multi-million-shilling support package to strengthen the organisation’s capacity.
The plan includes allocating land in Nairobi for expansion and facilitating the acquisition of its office located next to Parliament at a cost of KSh300 million to pave the way for the construction of a modern headquarters.
Ruto further pledged KSh200 million for new administrative offices and confirmed that the government will acquire 15 ambulances to boost the organisation’s fleet, with the vehicles to be integrated into the SHA system for coordinated operations and funding.
“To support St John Ambulance’s noble work, we have allocated the organisation land in Nairobi. Additionally, we have engaged Parliament so that it takes over the St John Ambulance office next to the Legislature at a cost of KSh300 million. This will enable the organisation to build a modern headquarters.
The Government will also provide KSh200 million for the construction of St John Ambulance offices. We will further purchase 15 new ambulances for the organisation and register them under SHA,”added Ruto.
The reforms signal the government’s renewed focus on strengthening emergency healthcare infrastructure while improving access to timely medical assistance, a move expected to enhance coordination among first responders and reduce preventable deaths across the country.
