Kenya is set to launch its first-ever National Ambulance Dispatch Centre by the end of July, as part of a major overhaul of emergency medical response, President William Ruto has announced.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Speaking during the 95th St. John Ambulance annual parade and inspection on Sunday, June 21, Ruto said the dispatch centre is aimed at improving coordination, reducing response times and ensuring access to life-saving services across the country.

According to the Head of State, the dispatch centre will be the second of its kind in Africa, positioning Kenya among a small group of countries with a nationally coordinated ambulance system.

"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.

📌 What You Need to Know

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 infrasteructure and powered by the Digital Health Agency, enabling faster coordination, real-time deployment and more efficient emergerncvy 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.

Once operational, the system is expected to coordinate approximately 100,000 emergency evacuations annually.

The reform is part of the government's broader push to digitise health services and strengthen universal health coverage through technology-driven systems.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke