By perez karisa| August 1, 2026
The Senate has raised concern over the deteriorating state of ambulance services across several counties, warning that the crisis is putting thousands of Kenyans at risk by delaying emergency medical care for accident victims, expectant mothers and critically ill patients.
During a Senate session, lawmakers criticized county governments over what they described as poor management of emergency response systems, saying many ambulances remain grounded due to inadequate funding, lack of fuel and poor maintenance.
Leading the debate, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale said emergency medical services have continued to deteriorate despite significant investments by county governments in the health sector. He argued that many patients are unable to access timely referrals because ambulances are either unavailable or unequipped to handle emergencies.
Senators also highlighted disparities in ambulance coverage across the country. Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute noted that some counties have very few operational ambulances serving large populations, leaving many residents without reliable emergency transport during medical crises.
The lawmakers warned that delays in emergency response continue to cost lives, particularly in remote areas where patients are forced to travel long distances before accessing specialized healthcare services.
The Senate further linked the ambulance crisis to broader challenges facing the country’s healthcare system, including concerns over the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), which some senators said has affected access to quality healthcare services.
To address the situation, senators called on county governments to increase funding for emergency medical services, including the purchase of new ambulances, regular maintenance of existing fleets, recruitment of trained emergency personnel and guaranteed fuel allocations.
They also urged Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to strengthen oversight of county health services and ensure health facilities meet the required standards before being upgraded to higher levels of care.
The lawmakers further recommended the establishment of a more coordinated national emergency referral system to improve ambulance deployment and guarantee faster access to emergency healthcare, especially in underserved and remote parts of the country.
The Senate says improving ambulance services is essential to strengthening Kenya’s healthcare system and ensuring every citizen can access timely life-saving medical care regardless of where they live.
