Bolt and Kenya Red Cross Partner to Train 500 Boda Boda Riders in Emergency Response

Bolt has joined forces with the Kenya Red Cross to provide more than 500 boda boda riders with foundational first aid, emergency activation, and road safety training within the programme’s first year. 

The initiative began with a pilot group of 75 Bolt riders who successfully completed a four-hour practical course delivered by the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute (KRCTI). The training focused on first aid skills, proper responses during emergencies, how to activate emergency support, and road safety awareness. 

The initial group of 75 riders has now been certified and publicly acknowledged as Community First Aid Ambassadors, receiving certificates and branded gear badges in recognition of their dedication to building safer communities.

Boda boda riders form a highly visible and mobile segment of Kenya’s transport sector, moving through communities daily and often being among the first people to arrive at road incidents. This partnership acknowledges the value of giving riders practical skills to respond appropriately during emergencies, while also helping them understand the boundaries of their training and the critical importance of calling in professional emergency services.

The programme is founded on an idea: the capacity to respond effectively in the early moments of an emergency should not be reserved for professional responders alone. By equipping individuals who are regularly present on roads and in communities with basic first aid knowledge, preparedness can be strengthened while professional emergency support is on its way.

Arthur Gacharia, Senior Operations Manager, Rides, at Bolt, commented: “Safety extends beyond what happens during a trip; it also involves how we empower the people within our ecosystem to help build safer communities. Through this collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, we are providing riders with practical skills that can help them respond appropriately in emergencies and, crucially, know when and how to seek professional help.“

Patrick Sakwa, one of the newly certified Community First Aid Ambassadors, shared: “The session was very useful; it gave us the knowledge to respond effectively to emergencies, with a clear understanding of how to act safely, what is within our training, and when to call for professional help. I am proud and honoured to be part of the first group of ambassadors.”

Monica Orero, Director of Training and Capacity Building at the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute (KRCTI), stated: “I would like to thank Bolt for initiating this partnership. At the Red Cross, our role is to support national and county governments in responding to disasters and emergencies, and initiatives like this are exactly how we advance that mission.”

Adding, “Last year alone, we recorded 1,273 rider fatalities, 2,768 serious injuries, and 720 minor injuries; the knowledge shared today with these riders will make a meaningful difference in bringing those numbers down and contributing to the government’s goal of Universal Healthcare. Thank you, Bolt, for making our work easier; you are a partner we truly value, and we look forward to continuing this work together.”

It is important to note that the programme does not aim to turn riders into medical professionals or to replace professional emergency responders. Rather, it provides them with the ability to assess situations, offer appropriate basic assistance within the scope of their training, and activate professional emergency support when needed.

As the first cohort of Community First Aid Ambassadors, the riders will carry their new identity as a visible reminder of the knowledge and responsibility they have undertaken.