By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 5 August 2026 - Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has welcomed the launch of Kenya's National 922 Ambulance Dispatch Centre, saying the new system will significantly improve emergency response times in the capital by linking county ambulance services to a single national command centre.
Speaking during the launch presided over by President William Ruto on Wednesday, Sakaja described the initiative as a major milestone in Kenya's journey towards a faster, smarter and more integrated emergency medical system.
The governor said Nairobi, which receives thousands of patients from across the country every day, stands to benefit greatly from the new digital platform that coordinates ambulances, hospitals and emergency responders in real time.
"The launch of this centre could not have come at a more important time because emergency medical services are one of the strongest foundations of universal health coverage. Quality healthcare is only meaningful if patients can reach it on time," Sakaja said.
Sakaja noted that Nairobi County has spent the last five years building its own Emergency Operations Centre through the toll-free 1508 line, which currently coordinates 18 basic and advanced life-support ambulances across the city.
He announced that the county will add 20 more advanced life-support ambulances within the next two weeks, saying the expanded fleet, combined with the national dispatch system, will help save more lives.
"Every minute saved is a life saved," he said.
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According to the governor, Nairobi's Emergency Operations Centre handled 4,573 emergency alerts and referrals over the past four months, averaging 38 emergencies every day, with a 98 per cent response rate and an average response time of 18 minutes.
He expressed optimism that the integration of the county's emergency services into the new national platform, which uses GPS and geolocation technology, will reduce response times even further.
"These are not just statistics. They represent mothers who reached hospital safely, children whose lives were saved, road traffic victims who received timely care, and families who were given hope because help arrived where it mattered most," Sakaja said.
The governor also revealed plans to integrate Nairobi's fire engines into the emergency response platform as the county continues leasing new emergency equipment instead of purchasing it outright, a model he said allows faster expansion of services.