The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has partnered with St John Ambulance to construct 23 emergency response facilities along major roads across the country. The initiative will see the establishment of 19 mobile first aid posts and four trauma centres strategically located near accident blackspots.
The project aims to provide rapid medical care to road crash victims within the “golden hour” — the critical first 60 minutes after an accident when timely intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
According to St John Ambulance, the facilities will offer quick first aid and stabilisation services before patients are transferred to nearby hospitals for specialised treatment.
“This collaboration seeks to save more lives by ensuring accident victims get emergency attention on the spot,” a statement by St John Ambulance read.
Training First Responders
Beyond infrastructure, the partnership will also focus on training boda boda riders, traffic police officers, and other first responders who are often first at crash scenes. By equipping them with lifesaving skills, more victims will have a higher chance of survival while waiting for professional medical assistance.
Rising Road Fatalities in Kenya
The move comes at a time when road crash fatalities remain alarmingly high. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) estimates that about 3,000 Kenyans die annually from road accidents. However, data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicates even higher figures, with 4,748 deaths recorded in 2024 alone.
In the first four months of 2024, KNBS reported 1,189 fatalities, with most crashes occurring along well-known accident hotspots.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has previously highlighted that delayed emergency response significantly contributes to preventable deaths on Kenyan roads.
A Step Toward Safer Roads
By investing in trauma centres and first aid posts, KeNHA and St John Ambulance hope to close this gap, ensuring victims receive immediate care and improving survival rates. The partnership marks a significant step in enhancing road safety and reducing fatalities across Kenya’s major transport corridors.
