President Ruto Launches 922 Lifeline to Cut Emergency Response Times Nationwide

By Brian Kiprono - Reporter

Kenya, 5 August 2026 - Kenyans seeking emergency medical help will now be able to access ambulance services through a single national number after President William Ruto on Wednesday officially launched the National 922 Ambulance Dispatch Centre, a move aimed at transforming emergency healthcare across the country.

The new command centre, based at the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi, will coordinate ambulance services in all 47 counties through the SHA 922 Lifeline, replacing fragmented emergency response systems with one central platform.

The facility is expected to significantly reduce delays in responding to medical emergencies by providing round-the-clock ambulance dispatch, clinical triage, intelligent call management and real-time ambulance tracking.

The launch marks a key milestone in the government's Taifa Care programme, which seeks to strengthen access to quality and timely healthcare through digital innovation.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the centre will ensure emergency patients receive faster and better coordinated care regardless of where they are in the country.

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 nationwide coverage expands.

The dispatch centre is staffed by 40 trained professionals, including doctors, medical officers and emergency call operators, who will monitor emergencies around the clock and coordinate responses with hospitals and ambulance providers.

Developed through a partnership between the Social Health Authority, Kenya Red Cross, Safaricom and ambulance service providers, the digital platform is designed to improve communication between emergency responders and health facilities while reducing response times for critical cases.