Nairobi has public, humanitarian and private ambulance services providing emergency medical response, patient transportation and pre-hospital care across the city.
This Metros Kenya guide brings together information on ambulance services in Nairobi, emergency contacts and medical transport options to help residents and commuters identify appropriate assistance during a medical emergency.
For a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or 112 immediately. Do not delay urgent medical assistance while trying to arrange ordinary public transport.
← Nairobi Emergency Services Guide | Emergency Numbers → | Hospitals →
Ambulance Services in Nairobi
Ambulance services operating in Nairobi include county emergency response services, humanitarian organisations and private medical providers.
Depending on the provider and circumstances, ambulance services may provide emergency response, pre-hospital medical care, patient stabilisation, transportation to hospital and transfers between medical facilities.
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| National Emergency Response | 999 / 112 |
| Nairobi County Fire & Rescue / Disaster Response | 1508 |
| Nairobi County Disaster Management | 020 2222 181 |
| Nairobi County Disaster Management | 020 2344 599 |
| St John Ambulance Kenya | 0721 225 285 |
| St John Ambulance Kenya | 020 221 0000 |
Nairobi County Disaster Ambulance Services
Nairobi City County operates Disaster Ambulance Services as part of its Fire and Rescue and disaster-management structure.
The service provides emergency medical response and transportation for victims of disasters and emergencies.
County ambulance services include emergency medical response, trauma care and patient stabilisation, disaster response and inter-facility transfers.
Nairobi County’s 24-hour disaster-management contacts are:
1508 | 020 2222 181 | 020 2344 599
St John Ambulance Kenya
St John Ambulance Kenya provides emergency ambulance and pre-hospital medical services in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.
The organisation operates emergency ambulance services alongside first-aid, community health and emergency preparedness programmes.
Ambulance hotlines:
0721 225 285 | 020 221 0000
When requesting an ambulance, provide your location and the nature of the medical emergency as clearly as possible.
Kenya Red Cross
Kenya Red Cross Society is a humanitarian organisation involved in disaster response, health programmes and emergency humanitarian operations across Kenya.
Its headquarters are located in South C, Nairobi, along Red Cross Road off Popo Road.
Kenya Red Cross contact: 0703 037 000
For a life-threatening medical emergency requiring an ambulance, callers should confirm the appropriate emergency-response service rather than assuming a general organisational contact is an ambulance dispatch number.
When Should You Call an Ambulance?
An ambulance may be appropriate when a patient requires urgent medical assistance or cannot safely be transported using an ordinary vehicle.
Situations may include serious road crashes, severe injuries, unconsciousness, breathing difficulties, major bleeding, suspected stroke, serious burns or other potentially life-threatening medical emergencies.
Where there is uncertainty about the seriousness of a patient’s condition, seeking professional emergency medical assistance is preferable to delaying care.
What Information to Give the Ambulance Dispatcher
When requesting an ambulance, provide your location first.
Where possible, give:
Estate or neighbourhood → Road → Building or property → Nearby landmark
You should also explain what has happened, how many people require assistance and whether the patient is conscious or in immediate danger.
Keep your phone available in case the ambulance crew or dispatcher needs additional directions.
Ambulance Response and Nairobi Traffic
Nairobi’s congestion can affect emergency vehicle movement, particularly during morning and evening peak periods or following crashes and road closures.
Accurate location information can therefore be important when requesting emergency assistance.
Major roads, junctions, estates, buildings and recognised landmarks can help responders identify the incident location.
Motorists should give way to emergency vehicles when it is safe and lawful to do so.
Choosing a Hospital
During an emergency, the most appropriate hospital may depend on the patient’s condition, location and the medical services required.
Nairobi has major public, private and faith-based hospitals providing different levels of emergency and specialist care.
See the Nairobi Hospitals & Emergency Services Guide for information about major hospitals across the city.
Metros also maintains a dedicated Kenyatta National Hospital Transport Guide for non-emergency journeys to KNH.
Ambulances and Public Transport
A matatu, bus or other ordinary public transport service should not be treated as a substitute for appropriate emergency medical transportation when a patient is seriously ill or injured.
For routine hospital appointments, visiting patients, collecting prescriptions and other non-emergency journeys, Nairobi’s public transport network provides connections to many medical facilities.
Use the Nairobi Matatu Routes and Numbers database to identify routes serving different areas.
Information about boarding and interchange locations is available through the Nairobi Bus Stations, Matatu Stages & Termini Guide.
Emergency Numbers
For immediate emergency assistance:
National Emergency → 999 / 112
Nairobi County Disaster Response → 1508 / 020 2222 181 / 020 2344 599
St John Ambulance → 0721 225 285 / 020 221 0000
For additional emergency contacts, see the Nairobi Emergency Numbers Guide.
Nairobi Emergency Services Directory
Emergency Numbers → | Hospitals & Emergency Care → | Police Stations → | Fire & Rescue →
Return to the Nairobi Emergency Services Guide for the complete emergency-services directory.
Emergency Information Verification
Ambulance telephone numbers, coverage, availability and services can change. Emergency contact information should be confirmed against the relevant service provider where necessary.
Last verified: August 2026.
For an immediate or life-threatening emergency, call 999 or 112.
