The introduction of motorcycle ambulances in Kenya’s Laikipia County has triggered a wave of backlash online, with many citizens reacting with shock, ridicule and concern over what they see as a troubling approach to emergency healthcare.
The initiative, launched by the Laikipia County Government to support maternal and child healthcare in hard-to-reach areas, was unveiled in Laikipia North, a region known for its rough terrain and poor road networks. Officials say the programme is designed to improve response times in medical emergencies, but images of the motorcycles quickly sparked controversy.
Photos showing the motorcycles, some towing enclosed patient trailers, spread rapidly on X shortly after the launch, drawing thousands of comments. While county authorities insist the project is a practical solution to longstanding access problems, many Kenyans questioned whether the vehicles meet basic standards of safety, comfort and dignity for pregnant women and critically ill patients.
County officials defended the move, stressing that the decision was driven by urgent realities on the ground rather than cost-cutting.
“Today, we are excited to be launching the pilot for motorcycle ambulances in collaboration with the Eezer Initiative. This comes at a time when the county is working hard to improve maternal and child health outcomes,” he said. Health, Albert Taiti, said the decision was deliberate and driven by urgent healthcare needs.
Dr Taiti acknowledged that conventional ambulances often struggle to reach some communities in time due to difficult terrain and poor infrastructure.
“There are places where a normal ambulance simply cannot reach in time. These motorcycles are meant to respond quickly and save lives,” he added.
The pilot project is being rolled out in partnership with the Eezer Initiative, a Swedish-backed organisation that focuses on improving healthcare access in remote African communities. So far, five motorcycle ambulances have been deployed across Laikipia North and parts of Laikipia West.
According to the initiative’s Laikipia coordinator, Alfred Sadera, the project aims to address persistent barriers that have cost lives over the years.
“We understand the challenges women face when they go into labour far from a health facility. Long distances and poor roads have cost lives. We believe this project addresses that gap,” he said.
Despite these explanations, public scepticism remains high. Online critics argue that the motorcycles highlight deeper failures in healthcare planning and infrastructure, questioning why counties are not investing more aggressively in proper roads, hospitals and fully equipped ambulances.
Others expressed concern about patient safety during transport, especially for expectant mothers, saying the images symbolize a wider frustration with governance and public service delivery in Kenya.
