Ruto Announces Kenya’s First Free Ambulance Dispatch
President William Ruto has announced that Kenya will open its first National Ambulance Dispatch Centre by the end of July as part of a significant reform of the emergency medical service.
According to Ruto, the dispatch centre’s goals are to increase coordination, shorten reaction times, and guarantee that everyone in the nation has access to life-saving services.
On Sunday, June 21, he gave a speech during the annual procession and inspection of the 95th St. John Ambulance.
The Head of State claims that the dispatch center will be the second of its kind in Africa, making Kenya one of the few nations with a nationally coordinated ambulance system.
“Kenya will launch its first National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the end of July this year.” ~ President Ruto pic.twitter.com/uHzSjXRj6E— Lightcast TV Kenya (@Lightcasttvke) June 21, 2026
“I am pleased to announce that Kenya will launch its first National Ambulance Dispatch Centre, becoming the second African country to establish a nationally coordinated ambulance system,” Ruto stated.
He stated that the centre, which will be launched by the end of July 2026, will be fully integrated into the country’s digital health infrastructure and powered by the Digital Health Agency.
It will use real-time coordination systems to enable faster ambulance deployment and improved communication between emergency responders and health facilities.
“The centre, which is scheduled to be launched by the end of July, will be integrated into our digital health infrastructure and powered by the Digital Health Agency, enabling faster coordination, real-time deployment and more efficient emergency response across the country,” he added.
Emergency ambulance evacuation services under the system, the president announced, will be provided free of charge to all Kenyans in need, a move expected to ease financial barriers during medical emergencies.
“We will give you land at upper hill, tomorrow collect your title deed at the ministry of land.” ~ President Ruto to ST. John Ambulance Kenya pic.twitter.com/uxXU2UYE4G— Lightcast TV Kenya (@Lightcasttvke) June 21, 2026
Once operational, the system is expected to coordinate approximately 100,000 emergency evacuations annually.
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The reform is part of the government’s broader push to digitise health services and strengthen universal health coverage through technology-driven systems.
Under the plan, Kenyans experiencing an emergency will be able to call a central dispatch centre. The nearest ambulance will then be sent to their location to transport the patient to the closest hospital.
According to Ruto, the first 24 hours of treatment, including admission, surgical procedures and other necessary interventions, will be fully funded by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Plans to provide Kenyans with free emergency medical care for the first 24 hours under the Social Health Authority’s Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund were first announced by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who anticipated a rollout by the end of June.
In April, Duale said the plan includes a nationwide ambulance dispatch service, where Kenyans can call a central centre and the nearest ambulance will be sent to them, with the SHA covering all costs for the first 24 hours at the hospital.
Ruto Announces Kenya’s First Free Ambulance Dispatch
