President William Ruto announced a Ksh.600 million support package for St. John Ambulance Kenya, including a one-acre parcel of land in Upper Hill, Ksh.500 million for construction, 15 new ambulances, and an annual budget allocation of Ksh.100 million starting in the next financial year.
Ruto made the announcement during the 95th St John Ambulance Annual Parade and Inspection at State House in Nairobi. He said the title deed for the Upper Hill land is ready for St John Ambulance to collect from the Ministry of Lands.
“We will give you land at Upper Hill. I made that commitment, and tomorrow you can collect your title from the Ministry of Lands. It’s ready,” the president said.
Under the arrangement, St John Ambulance Kenya will hand over its current premises near Parliament. The government will set aside Ksh.300 million to build a new headquarters, and it will allocate an additional Ksh.200 million to develop a modern facility on the Upper Hill site.
“Treasury is instructed accordingly, and all the other relevant authorities so that the relevant drawings are made,” Ruto said.
He instructed the Ministry of Health to procure 15 modern ambulances for the organisation and register them with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to ensure coverage.
Ruto also urged Parliament to review the legislation that established St John Ambulance. He said the review should clear the way for a sustained annual government allocation of Ksh.100 million starting next financial year.
In a separate policy announcement, the President said SHA will cover the first 24 hours of hospital care for all accident victims, regardless of whether they participate in the scheme.
“Every accident case, when a victim arrives in hospital, SHA pays for the first 24 hours for everyone. That includes both registered and unregistered members,” he said.
President Ruto also announced that Kenya will launch its first national ambulance dispatch centre at the end of July. He said the centre will integrate with the country’s digital health infrastructure and run through the Digital Health Agency.
On another issue, he confirmed that he will sign the Finance Bill on Tuesday to put the government’s revenue measures for the coming financial year into effect.
Ruto also addressed parental responsibility after recent incidents in which children died in places meant to keep them safe.
“Fatherhood is a sacred responsibility anchored in spiritual leadership, provision, and guidance,” he said. “When we see our children doing whatever they are doing, we must hold ourselves accountable as fathers.”
He said Kenya had regrettably lost lives where children should have been safest in the past few weeks and added that every choice carries consequences.
