Ride-hailing firm Bolt has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross to train more than 500 boda boda riders in first aid and emergency response within a year, as the country battles a high toll of rider deaths on its roads.
The first 75 riders have completed a four-hour practical course delivered by the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute (KRCTI) and have been certified as Community First Aid Ambassadors, the two organisations said on Wednesday.
The training covered basic first aid, emergency response, activation of professional emergency services and road safety.
Kenya Red Cross data shows 1,273 riders were killed in road crashes last year, while 2,768 suffered serious injuries and 720 sustained 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,” said Monica Orero, KRCTI’s Director of Training and Capacity Building.
Ms Orero said the Red Cross’s role was to support national and county governments in responding to disasters and emergencies.
Boda boda riders are often among the first people at the scene of road accidents given their constant movement through estates and along major roads.
The programme seeks to leverage that presence, but the partners stressed it is not meant to turn riders into medical professionals or replace emergency responders.
Instead, riders are trained to assess a situation, offer basic help within the limits of their training and call in professional assistance.
“Safety is not only about what happens during a ride; it is also about how we equip the people within our ecosystem to contribute to safer communities,” said Arthur Gacharia, Bolt’s Senior Operations Manager for Rides.
“We are starting with 75 riders, but our ambition is to train more than 500 within the first year,” Mr Gacharia said.
The certified riders received certificates and branded gear badges identifying them as ambassadors.
Patrick Sakwa, one of the pioneer cohort, said the course had clarified both how to respond and where a rider’s role ends.
“It has equipped us with the knowledge to respond effectively when faced with emergencies, with a clear understanding of how to act safely, what falls within our training, and when to call for professional help,” Mr Sakwa said.
Bolt and the Red Cross said feedback from the pilot will be used to assess its impact and shape training for subsequent cohorts.
The Estonia-headquartered mobility firm operates in more than 50 countries and 850 cities, with over 4.5 million drivers on its platform globally.
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