Outcry in Laikipia After County Unveils Boda Boda Ambulances for Pregnant Women

Residents of Laikipia County have raised safety concerns following the recent unveiling of boda boda ambulances intended to help transport pregnant women to health facilities in hard-to-reach areas.

The motorbikes, launched earlier this week by County Executive Committee Member for Health Albert Taiti, are modified to serve as emergency transport for expectant mothers when conventional ambulances are unavailable or delayed.

According to county officials, the boda boda ambulances will be deployed in areas with difficult terrain, including Ol Moran, Sosian, Lamuria, and Mukogodo.

However, the initiative has sparked backlash on social media, with residents questioning its safety and practicality given the poor state of feeder roads across the region.

“It is unfortunate for a county grappling with serious road and health challenges to introduce motorbikes for transporting pregnant women. How safe are they on these roads? The governor should fix roads and equip existing ambulances before rolling out such projects,” said Laikipia youth leader Simon Mwangi Chege.

Others expressed fears that the rough terrain could pose serious risks to expectant mothers.

“A pregnant woman could easily miscarry because of the terrain. How does the government consider this a priority?” Jane Nyokabi posed on Facebook.

Human rights advocate Fidel Jesus also questioned the decision, citing budgetary concerns within the health department.

“The health department has enough funding to buy proper ambulances. Instead of boda boda ambulances, why not build health centres in these areas?” he asked.

Some residents accused the county government of misallocating resources, with critics describing the project as misguided and out of touch with the realities on the ground.

Nyahururu-based activist John Njagi likened the move to outdated practices, saying it echoed an era when women were transported on bicycles, and called for clearer explanations from the county leadership.

In response, CECM Albert Taiti defended the initiative, arguing that it is impractical to station full ambulances at every health facility, especially in remote locations.

He explained that the project was funded entirely through a partnership with a Sweden-based company, Eezer Company, and did not involve county government funds.

“This is a mutual partnership with Eezer Company. The public should not worry, as the county government will only identify areas where the boda boda ambulances will be deployed,” Taiti said.

He added that the county government is still planning to procure more ambulances to improve healthcare service delivery across Laikipia County.