The Makueni County Government has launched a major initiative to strengthen community healthcare by distributing 385 bicycles to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and rolling out free ambulance services aimed at improving access to healthcare across the county.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off the bicycles at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, saying the Sh6 million investment would improve the mobility of CHPs, enabling them to reach more households and deliver essential health services more efficiently.
The bicycles were distributed to five wards, with Ivingoni/Nzambani receiving 239, Kikumbulyu South and Kikumbulyu North receiving 49 each, while Masongaleni and Thange received 24 bicycles each.
Governor Mutula said the bicycles were procured after residents identified transport challenges facing community health promoters during public participation forums conducted in the previous financial year.
He noted that CHPs are often the first point of contact for patients at the community level, particularly in remote areas where they walk long distances while carrying medical kits weighing up to 20 kilogrammes.
“The work these Community Health Promoters do is enormous. They are the first contact within our communities and often travel across difficult terrain to reach households. These bicycles will ease their burden and improve service delivery,” he said.
The Governor said improved mobility would enable CHPs to meet their monthly target of visiting at least 33 households while enhancing disease surveillance, maternal and child healthcare, health education and follow-up of patients.
He encouraged the remaining 26 wards in the county to prioritise the purchase of bicycles in the next budget cycle to ensure all Community Health Promoters benefit from the programme.
Mutula further announced that the county government, working with a development partner, plans to procure an additional 1,000 bicycles during the current financial year to further strengthen community health services.
During the event, the Governor also officially launched free ambulance services for patients referred by clinicians as well as those requiring emergency medical attention within and outside the county.
The free ambulance programme, which began on July 1, 2026, has already facilitated the transportation of 265 patients to health facilities where they received specialised treatment.
Makueni currently operates 10 ambulances, while two others are undergoing repairs. The county has also received an additional ambulance from St. John Ambulance and plans to acquire two more ambulances and a fire engine during the current financial year.
To improve emergency response, the county has partnered with the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF) under the Ambulensi programme to install an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system in ambulances.
The technology will enable emergency dispatch teams to identify callers’ locations more accurately, reduce response times and improve operational efficiency.
“We are modernising our ambulance services through our partnership with the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, which will also train our medics and ambulance operators to strengthen emergency healthcare,” said Mutula.
County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua said the bicycles would enable Community Health Promoters to move from one household to another more efficiently, saving time and increasing service coverage.
She urged beneficiaries to safeguard the bicycles, describing them as public assets that should be properly maintained and used solely for official duties.
Makueni County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku commended healthcare workers for their commitment to delivering quality services across county health facilities.
He also defended the county’s Mutula Care health insurance programme, saying it had enabled many vulnerable residents to access affordable healthcare within and outside Makueni County.
The Governor was accompanied by Kikumbulyu North MCA Jackson Mbalu, Kikumbulyu South MCA Jades Kalunda, Mavindini MCA Japheth Kimongo and nominated MCAs Elizabeth Muthike and Sarah Mbilo.
By Patrick Nyakundi
