Finding an ambulance quickly in Nairobi can be difficult during a medical emergency, particularly when callers do not know which provider operates near them or what information the dispatcher requires.
This guide lists verified ambulance contacts serving Nairobi, including county ambulances, emergency medical rescue providers, hospital ambulances and air-evacuation services.
For police, fire, rescue and other urgent contacts, visit the Nairobi Emergency Services Guide. You can also use the Nairobi Emergency Centres directory to identify hospitals with accident and emergency departments.
If someone is unconscious, experiencing severe breathing difficulty, bleeding heavily, suffering a suspected heart attack or stroke, or has sustained serious injuries, call an ambulance immediately.
Nairobi Ambulance Emergency Numbers
| Ambulance provider | Emergency contact | Main service |
|---|---|---|
| Nairobi City County | 1508 | County ambulance and disaster response |
| E-Plus Medical Services | 1514, 0700 395 395 or 0738 395 395 | Emergency ambulance and patient evacuation |
| St John Ambulance Kenya | 0721 611 555 | Emergency ambulance and first response |
| AAR Rescue Services | 0725 225 225 or 0734 225 225 | Emergency ambulance and medical rescue |
| AMREF Flying Doctors | 020 699 2222, 0730 811 811 or 0709 962 811 | Ground and air ambulance |
| Nairobi Hospital ambulance | 0702 200 200 | Hospital ambulance service |
| M.P. Shah Hospital | 0707 044 115 | Emergency response and ambulance services |
Contacts checked against providers’ official websites on September 1, 2026. Ambulance availability and response times can change. If one number does not connect or a vehicle is unavailable, contact another provider immediately.
Nairobi City County Ambulance Service
Nairobi City County operates emergency ambulances through its disaster-management and emergency-response system.
Emergency contacts: 1508, 020 222 2181 or 020 234 4599
Service: County ambulance, fire, rescue and disaster response
Coverage: Nairobi County
Official information: Nairobi City County Disaster Management
Callers should give the dispatcher their exact location, the nature of the emergency and the number of people requiring assistance. The toll-free number 1508 can also be used for fire and other county disaster emergencies.
The availability of a county ambulance will depend on the location of emergency vehicles, current demand and road conditions.
E-Plus Medical Services
Emergency Plus Medical Services, commonly known as E-Plus, provides emergency ambulance care, medical evacuation, patient stabilisation, hospital transfers and medical escort services.
E-Plus is owned by the Kenya Red Cross Society and operates from Red Cross Road off Popo Road in South C.
Emergency contacts: 1514, 0700 395 395 or 0738 395 395
Operations: 24 hours
Services: Emergency ambulance, medical evacuation, hospital transfer, ambulance hire, medical escort and air evacuation
Official information: E-Plus Medical Services
E-Plus offers both direct ambulance assistance and annual membership packages. Its published membership benefits vary according to the package and may include treatment at the scene, stabilisation and transfer to a hospital.
A membership plan may cover some ambulance costs, but callers without membership should ask the dispatcher about the expected charges before confirming a non-immediate transfer.
St John Ambulance Kenya
St John Ambulance Kenya operates an emergency ambulance hotline and provides medical response, first aid and event medical coverage.
Ambulance hotline: 0721 611 555
Operations: 24 hours
Services: Emergency ambulance, pre-hospital care, first response and event medical cover
Official information: St John Ambulance Kenya
When calling, explain whether the patient is conscious and breathing and whether the emergency involves a road crash, fall, illness, burns or another cause.
AAR Rescue Services
AAR Rescue Services operates a round-the-clock medical emergency dispatch centre that receives distress calls and dispatches ambulances.
Emergency contacts: 0725 225 225 or 0734 225 225
Emergency landlines: 020 271 7374, 020 271 7375 or 020 271 7376
Operations: 24 hours
Services: Ground ambulance, medical rescue, inter-hospital transfer, medical advice, air rescue and event coverage
Official information: AAR Rescue Services
AAR offers membership-based ambulance packages and fee-for-service assistance. Callers should establish whether their medical insurance, employer cover or rescue membership will meet the cost.
AMREF Flying Doctors
AMREF Flying Doctors operates from Wilson Airport and provides ground ambulances, air ambulances and medical evacuation services.
Emergency contacts: 020 699 2222, 0730 811 811 or 0709 962 811
Operations: 24 hours
Services: Emergency and planned ground ambulance, air ambulance, medical evacuation and supervised patient transport
Location: Wilson Airport, Nairobi
Official information: AMREF Flying Doctors
The ground ambulance service can be requested for emergency or non-emergency medical transport. Air evacuation is generally appropriate when distance, terrain, the patient’s condition or the required level of care makes road transport unsuitable.
Air ambulance arrangements normally require medical and logistical assessment. Give the medical team information about the patient’s condition, current location, treating facility and intended destination.
Nairobi Hospital Ambulance
The Nairobi Hospital operates an ambulance line connected to its accident and emergency services.
Ambulance contact: 0702 200 200
Accident and Emergency assistance: 0703 082 511
Hospital emergency contact: 0703 082 000
Services: Emergency ambulance and hospital accident and emergency care
Destination: The Nairobi Hospital, Argwings Kodhek Road
Official information: The Nairobi Hospital A&E Centre
Callers seeking transfer to The Nairobi Hospital should confirm whether an ambulance is available, what level of care can be provided during transport and the likely charges.
M.P. Shah Hospital Ambulance and Emergency Response
M.P. Shah Hospital provides Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support ambulance services alongside its 24-hour accident and emergency centre.
Emergency contact: 0707 044 115
General hospital contact: 0111 000 600
Services: Emergency response, ambulance transport and accident and emergency care
Destination: M.P. Shah Hospital, Shivachi Road, Parklands
Official information: M.P. Shah Hospital Accident and Emergency
The hospital says its emergency-response services also support mass-accident and disaster incidents.
Aga Khan University Hospital Emergency Contacts
Aga Khan University Hospital’s accident and emergency department lists E-Plus as its ambulance contact.
E-Plus ambulance: 0700 395 395 or 0738 395 395
Adult Accident and Emergency: 020 366 2021, 020 366 2028 or 0735 984 792
Paediatric Accident and Emergency: 020 366 2031 or 0731 009 297
Critical Care: 0728 918 000
Location: Third Parklands Avenue, off Limuru Road
Official information: Aga Khan University Hospital Emergency Department
The emergency-department contacts can help a family confirm whether the hospital is prepared to receive the patient while an ambulance is being arranged.
What to Tell the Ambulance Dispatcher
The quality of the information provided during an emergency call can affect how quickly the crew finds the patient and what equipment it prepares.
Give the dispatcher:
- The patient’s exact location, including the estate, road, building, gate and floor.
- A nearby landmark that an ambulance crew can identify quickly.
- The patient’s approximate age and current condition.
- Whether the patient is conscious and breathing.
- The cause of the emergency, if known.
- The number of people requiring assistance.
- Any access difficulties, including stairs, locked gates, crowds or blocked roads.
- Your name and callback number.
- The patient’s preferred hospital or medical insurer, where applicable.
Remain on the line until the dispatcher has collected the required information. Keep the calling phone available because the ambulance crew may need directions.
If possible, send someone to the main road or gate to guide the ambulance to the patient.
How Nairobi Traffic Can Affect Ambulance Response
Ambulance response times in Nairobi can be affected by traffic congestion, roadworks, flooding, demonstrations, crashes and poorly marked buildings.
When calling from a large estate or informal settlement, give the name of a well-known road, shopping centre, school, church, petrol station or public facility near the patient.
Do not give only a postal address. Share a live location through WhatsApp or another mapping service if the dispatcher requests it and you can do so safely.
Choosing a Receiving Hospital
The nearest hospital is not always equipped to manage every medical emergency. Serious trauma, stroke, heart attack, severe burns, pregnancy complications and paediatric emergencies may require specialised care.
The ambulance medical team should assess the patient and help determine an appropriate receiving facility. The decision may consider:
- The patient’s medical condition.
- Distance and expected travel time.
- Availability of the required specialists and equipment.
- Whether the hospital has agreed to receive the patient.
- The patient’s medical insurance or ability to meet the cost.
- The patient’s existing medical records and regular doctor.
Use the Nairobi Emergency Centres directory to review major facilities offering accident, emergency and specialised care.
Emergency Ambulance Versus Planned Patient Transport
An emergency ambulance is intended for patients who need urgent assessment, treatment, monitoring or life-support equipment during transport.
Planned patient transport may be appropriate for hospital discharge, medical appointments, dialysis, rehabilitation, inter-hospital transfers and patients with limited mobility who are medically stable.
Tell the provider whether the patient requires oxygen, a stretcher, wheelchair access, cardiac monitoring, a paramedic or another form of medical support. A normal taxi or private vehicle may be unsafe for a patient whose condition could deteriorate during the journey.
Ambulance Charges and Medical Cover
Ambulance charges in Nairobi vary according to the provider, distance, level of medical care, equipment required, waiting time and final destination.
Before a planned transfer, ask:
- Whether the provider charges a call-out fee.
- Whether mileage is included.
- Whether the quoted amount includes paramedics, oxygen and medical equipment.
- Whether waiting time attracts an additional charge.
- Whether the provider accepts the patient’s insurance.
- Whether payment or a guarantee is required before dispatch.
- Whether an annual ambulance membership applies.
During a life-threatening emergency, request medical help first and deal with the administrative details as soon as practical.
Important Notice
Metros Kenya does not operate ambulances or control emergency-response times. This directory is provided for public information and journey planning.
Telephone numbers, ambulance availability, prices, coverage and membership conditions can change. Confirm the service directly with the provider. In an immediate emergency, call the first suitable provider and try an alternative number if the call does not connect.
SEO package
