NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyans will soon access free ambulance services and emergency medical treatment for the first 24 hours under a new plan unveiled by the Social Health Authority (SHA).
The initiative, announced on October 3 by SHA Chief Executive Officer Mercy Mwangangi, marks a transformative step in the country’s healthcare delivery and emergency response system.
According to Mwangangi, the Authority is in the final stages of establishing a National Ambulance Dispatch Center that will coordinate emergency responses across the country through a real-time location tracking system.
“Yes, SHA will be free for 24 hours for all Kenyans. However, after 24 hours, there are two pathways to follow,” she explained.
Under the plan, SHA will cater for up to Sh4,500 per person for ambulance evacuation to the nearest health facility within a 25-kilometre radius.
With the National Ambulance Dispatch, Kenyans will enjoy free, reliable, and instant emergency ambulance response wherever they are.#SHAFreeEmergencyResponse.
Emergency treatment administered within the first 24 hours will be fully covered for all Kenyans, including those not yet registered under the SHA or the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).
After the 24-hour window, treatment will depend on a patient’s SHIF status: registered members will continue receiving care under the fund, while non-members will be required to pay out-of-pocket.
Mwangangi hailed the move as “a milestone that will redefine emergency medical response and access to care across Kenya.”
Health experts have lauded the initiative, saying it could significantly reduce preventable deaths and bridge healthcare disparities, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
“Timely access to emergency services is the difference between life and death in critical cases. This is a bold step towards universal health coverage,” said public health specialist Dr. Felix Otieno.
The ambulance service will cater to a broad range of life-threatening emergencies, including maternity complications, severe asthma attacks, kidney failure, strokes, and heart-related conditions.
By integrating real-time location tracking, the system is expected to cut response times and improve coordination among medical teams nationwide.
Experts believe the rollout will help reduce maternal and child mortality, as well as fatalities from road accidents, areas where Kenya has long struggled to make progress.
The initiative aligns with the government’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda and global best practices in emergency response, removing financial barriers that have long prevented many Kenyans from accessing timely, lifesaving care.
With this landmark reform, SHA is positioning Kenya among countries championing accessible and equitable healthcare for all.
