In a move aimed at bringing order and accountability to Kenya’s emergency healthcare system, the government has directed all ambulance services and emergency medical personnel to register with the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC).
The directive, issued Monday by KMPDC CEO Dr. David Kariuki, marks a major step toward regulating an essential but often overlooked part of the country’s healthcare system: the people and vehicles that respond first when lives are on the line.
“Ambulances are not just transport vehicles they are mobile extensions of the hospital. They play a vital role in the chain of survival,” said Dr. Kariuki in the statement. “We must ensure they operate under proper standards.”
The order applies to all ambulances and pre-hospital care providers across the country whether publicly or privately owned. This includes paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), ambulance drivers, and any other personnel involved in pre-hospital care.
KMPDC said the primary goal is to standardize emergency services nationwide, ensuring that anyone calling for help in Nairobi or in a rural village receives the same quality of care.
The council also noted that many emergency service providers currently operate without sufficient oversight, a gap this new registration process seeks to close.
Once fully implemented, the registration will also help roll out the Emergency, Critical Care, and Chronic Illness Fund under the Social Health Authority (SHA), a government-backed initiative to improve access to emergency medical support.
Ambulance operators and emergency care personnel are being asked to submit their registration either online via email or in person at KMPDC offices. Application forms and full details have been made available on the Council’s official website.
A compliance deadline has been set for September 15, 2025. After this date, unregistered providers risk losing the legal right to operate. Penalties may include suspension or a full ban from offering emergency services in Kenya.
Dr. Kariuki emphasized that this is not merely a bureaucratic formality it’s a matter of public safety.
“Emergency care can mean the difference between life and death. We owe it to every Kenyan to make sure the people responding to those calls are trained, certified, and accountable,” he said.
The directive is being welcomed in some health circles as a long-overdue step, especially given recent concerns about uneven service standards, poorly equipped ambulances, and lack of clarity around who is actually qualified to provide emergency care.
KMPDC assured the public that it is fully committed to improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of emergency medical services across the country.