By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, August 04 ,2026 - Kenya is set to launch a nationwide emergency ambulance command centre designed to cut response times and improve access to life-saving medical care, marking a major milestone in the government's rollout of the Taifa Care programme.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday inspected the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi, confirming that the facility is fully operational ahead of its official commissioning by President William Ruto on Wednesday.
The centre will operate through the SHA 922 Lifeline, serving as a single national command hub to coordinate emergency medical services across all 47 counties.
According to Duale, the new system will transform how emergency cases are managed by bringing ambulance dispatch, call handling and hospital coordination under one digital platform.
"The facility is complete and fully prepared for commissioning, marking a major step in strengthening our emergency medical response under the Taifa Care programme," the Health CS said.
The dispatch centre will provide 24-hour ambulance coordination, intelligent call management, clinical triage, real-time ambulance tracking and direct communication with health facilities to ensure patients receive timely emergency care.
More than 200 ambulances accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have already been integrated into the system, with additional ambulance providers expected to join as coverage expands nationwide.
The facility is staffed by 40 trained professionals, including medical officers, doctors and customer service personnel, who will oversee emergency dispatch operations and manage the centre's digital health systems.
More from Kenya
Duale said the initiative reflects the government's commitment to using technology to strengthen emergency healthcare and improve patient outcomes across the country.
"Operating under the SHA 922 Lifeline, the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre will serve as Kenya's central command hub for coordinating emergency medical services across all 47 counties," he said.
The project was developed through a partnership involving the Social Health Authority, Kenya Red Cross, ambulance service providers and Safaricom, bringing together public and private sector expertise to build an integrated emergency response network.
Duale was received at the facility by SHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Mercy Mwangangi and senior management, who briefed him on the centre's operational readiness ahead of its official launch.
The commissioning of the dispatch centre is expected to strengthen Kenya's emergency medical system by providing faster ambulance deployment and more coordinated responses to medical emergencies nationwide.