Bolt, a leading on-demand mobility platform, has partnered with the Kenya Red Cross to equip over 500 boda boda riders with essential first aid, emergency activation, and road safety skills. The initiative, which started with a pilot cohort of 75 riders, aims to enhance the riders' ability to respond to emergencies and provide basic assistance. The training, delivered by the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, covered vital topics such as first aid techniques, emergency response, and road safety.
The initial 75 riders have completed a four-hour practical training and have been certified as Community First Aid Ambassadors. They received certificates and branded gear badges to recognize their participation and commitment to supporting safer communities. As highly visible and mobile individuals, boda boda riders are well-positioned to respond to emergencies, and this training aims to equip them with practical knowledge to do so effectively.
The partnership recognizes the importance of collaboration in improving road safety and emergency preparedness. By equipping riders with basic first aid knowledge, the initiative aims to strengthen preparedness while professional emergency support is activated. The programme is not intended to turn riders into medical professionals but rather to provide them with the knowledge to assess situations, provide basic assistance, and activate professional emergency support when required.
Arthur Gacharia, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt, emphasized the importance of safety in the ecosystem. "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," he said. The partnership aims to train over 500 riders within the first year, with the initial 75 riders marking the starting point of the wider programme.
Monica Orero, Director of Training and Capacity Building at the Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, expressed her appreciation for the 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," she said. The Kenya Red Cross recorded 1,273 rider fatalities, 2,768 serious injuries, and 720 minor injuries last year, highlighting the need for such initiatives.
The programme reflects a broader recognition that improving road safety and emergency preparedness requires collaboration across the transport network. Individuals, businesses, humanitarian organizations, government, and communities each play a role in enhancing safety. As the programme grows, Bolt and the Kenya Red Cross aim to put these practical skills in the hands of more riders and, ultimately, more communities.
The first cohort of Community First Aid Ambassadors will carry their new identity as a visible reminder of the knowledge and responsibility they have undertaken. The partnership will provide both organizations with an opportunity to gather feedback from participants, assess the programme's impact, and use the learnings to inform the training of more riders.
Key points
- The partnership between Bolt and the Kenya Red Cross aims to equip over 500 boda boda riders with basic first aid, emergency activation, and road safety skills within the first year.
- The initial 75 riders have been certified as Community First Aid Ambassadors after completing a four-hour practical training.
- The programme aims to enhance the riders' ability to respond to emergencies and provide basic assistance while understanding the limits of their training and the importance of activating professional emergency services.
