𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐎 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐓𝐔𝐊 𝐓𝐔𝐊 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐂𝐑𝐘 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐒: "𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐓𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒"

The Baringo County Government has moved to clarify the circumstances surrounding the deployment of a Tuk Tuk ambulance to Tirioko Ward in Tiaty Constituency following widespread public criticism over its suitability for emergency medical services.

Speaking amid growing debate on social media, Deputy Governor Felix Maiyo and County Chief Officer for Medical Services Dr. Nancy Chesire explained that the Tuk Tuk ambulance was not procured under any Baringo County Government ambulance acquisition programme.

According to the county officials, the vehicle was supplied after a request was made by a resident of Tiaty who serves as a Community Health Promoter (CHP) in the Tirioko area. They said the initiative was designed to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by residents living in hard-to-reach locations where conventional ambulances struggle to operate due to poor road networks, rough terrain, and long distances.

The county leadership emphasized that the Tuk Tuk ambulance is intended to complement, rather than replace, standard ambulances by providing a practical means of transporting patients from remote villages to locations where larger ambulances can access them.

"The objective is to improve access to healthcare services for residents in areas where road infrastructure makes it difficult for four-wheel-drive ambulances to reach patients promptly," the officials stated.

The clarification comes after images of the Tuk Tuk ambulance circulated widely online, prompting criticism from residents and Kenyans who questioned whether the vehicle could adequately handle emergency medical cases in a region known for its vast and rugged landscape.

Many residents argued that Tiaty requires more fully equipped four-wheel-drive ambulances capable of navigating the difficult terrain while providing advanced emergency care during patient transfers. Others acknowledged that while the Tuk Tuk could offer a temporary solution in inaccessible areas, it should not replace investment in comprehensive emergency medical transport.

The debate has reignited conversations about healthcare infrastructure in Kenya's marginalized regions, with residents calling on both county and national governments to invest in better roads, modern ambulances, and improved emergency response systems to ensure equitable access to healthcare services.

County officials maintained that the Tuk Tuk ambulance should be viewed as an innovative community-based intervention aimed at bridging healthcare access gaps in remote settlements, while assuring residents that efforts to strengthen healthcare services across Baringo County remain ongoing.