Kenya to Build 19 First Aid Units and Trauma Centres on Highways

• Sep 26, 2025

Every year, thousands of lives are lost on Kenya’s roads, not only from the crashes themselves but from delays in receiving medical help. Victims often wait too long for assistance, and many do not survive the crucial first hour after an accident.

In response to this challenge, the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) and St John’s Ambulance have unveiled a plan to establish 19 mobile first aid posts and four trauma centres along key accident blackspots on major highways. The initiative is designed to ensure that emergency care is available closer to crash scenes, giving survivors a better chance of recovery.

The agreement between KeNHA and St John’s follows a series of meetings aimed at improving road safety and post-crash care. Both organisations emphasised the importance of the “golden hour,” the first 60 minutes after a crash, when quick medical intervention can mean the difference between life and death. By setting up these facilities in high-risk areas, KeNHA will provide road reserve space, while St John’s will manage operations and training.

As part of the project, boda boda riders and traffic police will be trained in first aid, equipping them with skills to assist victims before ambulances or medics arrive. Nairobi already has 304 trained boda boda first responders in areas such as Mukuru kwa Reuben, Pipeline Embakasi, and Kibera. Expanding this model to highways could significantly improve survival rates.

To formalise the partnership, KeNHA and St John’s Ambulance will draft a memorandum of understanding that will guide the implementation and sustainability of the project. St John’s has stressed that the move is not just about immediate rescue efforts but part of a broader, long-term commitment to reducing deaths and injuries on Kenyan roads.

The urgency of such measures is underscored by recent statistics. Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) shows that between January and September 2025, 3,397 people lost their lives in road crashes, 28 more than the same period in 2024. In total, 17,270 people have been affected this year. Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable group, with 1,285 deaths, followed by motorcyclists at 858, passengers at 568, and drivers at 309.

The National Road Safety Action Plan 2024–2028 highlights that most fatal crashes occur during evening hours, between 7 pm and 10 pm, when visibility is low, speeds are higher, and drunk driving is more common. NTSA data also shows that nearly half of all fatalities are concentrated in just eight counties, while in Nairobi, five major roads account for over a third of deadly crashes.

With the rollout of the new trauma centres and first aid posts, supported by trained motorcycle responders and the police, authorities hope to reverse these grim trends. The project offers renewed hope for survivors and represents a critical step toward safer roads in Kenya.