The National Ambulance Dispatch Centre is fully operational and ready for commissioning ahead of its official launch by President William Ruto on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced.
During an inspection visit to the facility at the Social Health Authority (SHA) headquarters in Nairobi, Duale said the centre marks a major milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen emergency medical services under the Taifa Care programme.
“The facility is complete and fully prepared for commissioning, marking a major step in strengthening our emergency medical response under the Taifa Care programme,” Duale said after assessing its operational readiness.
The dispatch centre will operate under the SHA 922 Lifeline and serve as the country’s central command hub for coordinating emergency medical services across all 47 counties.
According to the Health CS, the centre will use a single national platform to provide 24-hour ambulance dispatch, intelligent call management, clinical triage, real-time ambulance tracking and coordination with health facilities. The system is expected to improve response times and make emergency medical care more accessible to Kenyans.
Health CS Aden Duale in the company of SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi inspecting the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre at the Social Health Authority (SHA) Headquarters in Nairobi in August 4, 2026. PHOTO/ MoH
More than 200 ambulances accredited by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) have already been integrated into the system, with additional ambulance service providers expected to join as the network expands across the country.
The centre is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of 40 trained professionals, including medical officers, doctors and customer service personnel, who will oversee emergency dispatch operations and manage the digital health systems supporting the service.
Duale said the new facility reflects the government’s commitment to modernising emergency healthcare through technology and coordinated service delivery.
“Operating under the SHA 922 Lifeline, the National Ambulance Dispatch Centre will serve as Kenya’s central command hub for coordinating emergency medical services across all 47 counties,” he said.
He added that the centre was developed through a partnership involving the Social Health Authority, the Kenya Red Cross, ambulance service providers and Safaricom.
“Developed in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, ambulance service providers and Safaricom, the Centre reaffirms the Government’s commitment to harnessing technology and innovation to build a responsive and integrated emergency care system that guarantees every Kenyan timely access to critical medical services,” Duale said.
The Cabinet Secretary was received by the SHA leadership during the inspection, led by Chief Executive Officer Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, as preparations for the official launch entered the final stage.