Restoring Hope on Wheels: Safaricom Foundation and NTSA Boost Patient Recovery with Mobility Donation to MTRH

In a powerful demonstration of partnership and purpose, the Safaricom Foundation, working alongside the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), has reinforced its commitment to patient-centered healthcare by donating vital mobility equipment to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).

The donation, officially handed over on April 28, 2026, included wheelchairs and crutches that will directly benefit patients recovering from injuries—particularly those arising from road traffic accidents. The event marked yet another milestone in a four-year collaboration that continues to shape emergency response systems and rehabilitation services in one of Kenya’s busiest referral hospitals.

Presiding over the ceremony, MTRH Chief Executive Officer Philip Kirwa underscored the growing need for assistive devices amid a steady rise in trauma-related admissions. He noted that as a national referral facility, MTRH handles a significant number of accident victims, many of whom require prolonged care and rehabilitation support.

“This support goes beyond equipment—it restores mobility, dignity, and hope for our patients,” Dr. Kirwa said. “Every wheelchair and every crutch represents a second chance—an opportunity for someone to regain independence and rebuild their life after trauma.”

Hospital staff highlighted that mobility aids are often in short supply despite their critical role in recovery. Without them, patients face delays in rehabilitation, increased dependency, and in some cases, long-term complications. The new donation is expected to ease this burden, allowing healthcare providers to deliver more efficient and humane care.

Representing NTSA, Edith Akasiba emphasized the broader significance of the initiative, pointing out that road safety interventions must extend beyond prevention to include effective post-crash care. She noted that access to assistive devices significantly improves patient outcomes, reduces recovery time, and enhances quality of life.

“Road safety is not only about preventing accidents but also about ensuring that when accidents occur, victims receive the care and support they need to recover fully,” she said. “This partnership reflects our commitment to a holistic approach—one that integrates prevention, response, and rehabilitation.”

NTSA further reiterated its ongoing efforts to reduce road carnage across Kenya through public awareness campaigns, enforcement of traffic regulations, and collaborations with institutions like MTRH. Officials stressed that strengthening hospital capacity is a key component in addressing the aftermath of road crashes.

The Safaricom Foundation delegation, led by Brenda Chesingei, lauded MTRH’s resilience and dedication in handling emergency cases and delivering quality care under pressure. The Foundation reaffirmed its mission to invest in sustainable health interventions that directly impact communities.

“At Safaricom Foundation, we believe in transforming lives through meaningful partnerships,” Chesingei said. “Our support is driven by the understanding that strong health systems are the backbone of thriving communities. By equipping hospitals like MTRH, we are investing in people—their recovery, their dignity, and their future.”

Also in attendance was the MTRH Road Safety Mainstreaming Committee, chaired by Christine Tonui. The committee has been instrumental in embedding road safety awareness within the hospital’s operations, ensuring that prevention and response strategies are aligned.

Tonui highlighted the importance of integrating road safety education with clinical care, noting that many of the injuries treated at MTRH could be prevented through better awareness and adherence to traffic rules. She called for continued collaboration between government agencies, private sector partners, and healthcare providers to address the growing burden of road traffic injuries.

Healthcare experts at the event also pointed out that mobility is a key determinant of recovery. Beyond physical healing, the ability to move independently has profound psychological and social benefits. Patients who regain mobility are more likely to reintegrate into their communities, return to work, and maintain a sense of dignity and self-worth.

For many patients, the donated equipment will make an immediate and life-changing difference. A wheelchair can mean the ability to leave a hospital bed, interact with family, or begin physiotherapy. Crutches can help a recovering patient take their first steps toward independence after weeks or months of immobility.

The collaboration between Safaricom Foundation, National Transport and Safety Authority, and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital continues to stand as a model of how multi-sector partnerships can address complex public health challenges. By combining resources, expertise, and shared vision, the partners are not only saving lives but also improving the quality of those lives after injury.

As Kenya continues to grapple with the impact of road traffic accidents, such initiatives offer a beacon of hope. With sustained collaboration and investment, stakeholders believe that it is possible to build a safer, more responsive system—one where fewer accidents occur, and those affected receive the care, compassion, and support they deserve.

The latest donation is not just an act of giving—it is a reaffirmation of a shared mission: to restore mobility, rebuild lives, and ensure that every patient has a chance to move forward.