KMTC EMPOWERS BODA BODA RIDERS WITH LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE SKILLS
It is not uncommon for medical colleges to offer training in life-saving skills needed during emergencies. But what if such training is extended to boda boda riders?
That is precisely what the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) is doing, equipping boda boda operators with emergency response skills in a daring move to improve the country’s grassroots health response and save lives.
The College launched the initiative in 2024, training 1,400 riders across 14 Campuses. By March 2025, the program had expanded to all Campuses, with an ambitious target to reach 9,000 riders by the end of the year.
“We hope to scale this further to include domestic workers,” revealed CEO Dr. Kelly Oluoch.
For some riders, the training is an opportunity to gain essential skills. For others, it is a lifelong dream come true.
“When I was growing up, I longed to join KMTC, but that dream never materialized as I was forced to drop out of secondary school due to lack of fees. I ended up being a boda boda rider,” said Peter Arasa, one of the riders in Nakuru.
“Getting a chance to train in emergency response at KMTC is like a dream come true. My children will be very happy to see my certificate bearing the KMTC logo. I cannot hold back my joy,” he continued.
According to Dr. Oluoch, empowering boda boda operators has far-reaching benefits.
“This program bridges the gap between emergencies and professional healthcare services, ensuring timely interventions that can save lives,” he said.
To maximize impact, the training combines theory with practical application. Participants engage with emergency scenarios through interactive PowerPoint presentations, instructional videos, and hands-on demonstrations.
Riders are taught cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques using manikins that simulate adults, children, and infants, enabling them to practice age-appropriate life-saving interventions.
The sessions also emphasize improvisation, showing how to use jackets to control bleeding or belts as makeshift tourniquets. Active participation is encouraged, with riders performing return demonstrations to reinforce their skills.
“Boda boda operators are the backbone of grassroots emergency response,” said Dr. Oluoch.
KMTC is now calling on stakeholders to support the expansion of such initiatives across the country.
With boda boda riders forming a critical part of Kenya’s emergency response network, their empowerment is not just timely; it is a strategic investment in public health and safety.
