Laikipia Launches Motorcycle Ambulances to Boost Maternal Healthcare

The Laikipia County Government has introduced motorcycle ambulances to improve emergency healthcare services for pregnant women and newborn babies in remote areas. The project mainly targets Laikipia North, where poor road conditions and long distances to hospitals have continued to limit access to medical care.

The new initiative was officially launched on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, to reduce delays in emergency response and save lives in hard-to-reach communities. Unlike conventional ambulances, the motorcycle units can easily navigate rough terrain and narrow roads.

Speaking during the launch event, Laikipia County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Albert Taiti, described the project as a significant step toward improving maternal and child health in the county.

“We are happy to roll out this pilot project in partnership with the Eezer Initiative. It comes at a crucial time when we are working hard to improve our health outcomes,” Dr. Taiti said.

Laikipia County received five motorcycle ambulances through the Eezer Initiative, a Swedish-supported programme focused on improving healthcare access in rural African communities. The partnership will first test the project in Laikipia before expanding it to other regions in Kenya.

Eezer’s Laikipia coordinator, Dr. Alfred Sadera, noted that the programme is designed to bridge the gap in maternal healthcare, especially for women who struggle to reach health facilities during labour.

“This project will help address the major challenges of distance and poor infrastructure. Many women in this region face difficulties accessing healthcare when they need it most,” he said.

During the pilot phase, five motorcycle ambulances fitted with patient carriers and essential medical equipment have been deployed in Laikipia North and parts of Laikipia West. The units are expected to support existing ambulance services and strengthen referral systems in rural areas.

According to Wilson Gitonga, the County Director of Preventive and Promotive Health Services, the motorcycles will play a key role in transferring patients who require urgent medical attention.

“These ambulances will help us move mothers and children from rural health facilities to hospitals where they can receive specialised care,” Gitonga explained.

The programme seeks to reduce delays in emergency healthcare, which remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths. Similar projects have already shown positive results in other countries. For instance, the Eezer Initiative previously operated in Burundi, where motorcycle ambulances handled more than 24,000 pregnancy-related referrals between 2021 and 2023.

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