County Government 047

Nairobi targets Helmet Use to Curb Motorcycle Head Injuries

Nairobi, 29th January 2026 -

Motorcycle crash victims now account for nearly 50 per cent of hospital bed occupancy in Nairobi, prompting Nairobi County to strengthen helmet-use regulations for bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) riders and passengers in a bid to curb preventable head injuries and deaths.

The move signals a shift in how Nairobi County is approaching road safety, treating helmet use not only as a transport issue, but as a critical public-health priority. The initiative is being advanced through a multi-sectoral process with support from the Partnership for Healthy Cities , a global network of more than 70 cities committed to saving lives by preventing noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and injuries.

Speaking during an internal validation workshop convened to review and draft regulations on standard helmet use, aligned with the Nairobi City County Transport Act, 2020, Chief Officer for Medical Services, Dr. Irene Muchoki noted that while bodabodas play a vital role in last-mile connectivity and employment, low helmet use and the widespread circulation of non-standard helmets are driving a growing burden of serious injuries.

“These injuries are largely preventable,” Dr. Muchoki said, noting that motorcycle-related trauma is placing significant strain on Nairobi’s health system, from emergency care to long-term rehabilitation.

She emphasized that the County’s goal is to protect both riders and passengers while strengthening accountability in the bodaboda sector, including through clearer regulation and structured oversight under SACCOS. She added that public participation has already been conducted by the Mobility Sector and that County legal teams are now working to integrate proposed safety measures into final regulations.

She also raised concerns about passenger reluctance to wear helmets due to hygiene fears, noting that while solutions such as disposable liners may address public-health concerns, their environmental impact must be carefully managed.

Head of the Division of Non-Communicable Diseases, Dr. Victor Kibe, said Nairobi County’s immediate priority is strengthening helmet use among motorcyclists as a high-impact intervention. He noted that an upcoming situational analysis - supported through the Partnership for Healthy Cities - will generate local data to better understand crash patterns and inform targeted, evidence-based road-safety interventions.

Director of Transport Engineer Moses Kuiyaki emphasized that road safety is a shared responsibility, observing that nearly 90 per cent of road crashes stem from human error rather than infrastructure failures. He added that approximately 80 per cent of bodaboda crashes involve rider error, and outlined County efforts to strengthen regulation, train riders as first responders, and promote road-safety education in schools.

The two-day workshop brought together County officers from Health, Legal, Mobility, and Works.

In closing, Director of Medical Services Dr. Essam Ahmed emphasized that while helmet standards are central to reducing head injuries, broader social determinants of health must also be addressed to mitigate the long-term impact of road traffic injuries on individuals and families.

Once implemented, the strengthened helmet regulations are expected to reduce preventable head injuries, ease pressure on Nairobi’s hospitals, and improve safety for thousands of riders and passengers who rely on motorcycles for daily transport, marking a critical step in the County’s broader public-health and road-safety agenda.

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*It’s A Wrap! Nairobi’s 2nd Health Scientific Conference Closes with Renewed Commitment to Evidence-Based and Innovative Healthcare*

Nairobi, November 7, 2025 — The curtain has fallen on the Second Nairobi Health Scientific Conference, held at the Argyle Grand Hotel from November 5–7, 2025, under the theme “Advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Towards Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 for Nairobi.”

The three-day conference brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, innovators, development partners, and policymakers to share knowledge and discuss innovations driving Nairobi’s health agenda.

The event was officially opened by H.E. Njoroge Muchiri the Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County, who reaffirmed the County’s commitment to strengthening health systems through research, data, and innovation.

“Scientific evidence remains at the heart of sound policy-making,” said the Deputy Governor. “Nairobi continues to invest in knowledge generation and partnerships that enhance service delivery and ensure quality healthcare for every resident.”

Among the keynote speakers was Mr. Fikirini Jacobs, the Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, who underscored the critical role of young professionals, researchers, and innovators in transforming the healthcare landscape

“Kenya’s youth are at the center of innovation,” said PS Jacobs. “Through creativity and digital transformation, we are unlocking new pathways to deliver accessible and efficient healthcare solutions.”

Suzanne Silantoi, County Executive Committee Member for Health, Wellness, and Nutrition, commended the collaborative spirit of the participants and highlighted the County’s focus on health innovation, wellness promotion, and community-centered service delivery.

“This conference demonstrates our dedication to using data and technology to guide health interventions,” she said. “We are building a healthier Nairobi by encouraging research-driven solutions that address both prevention and care.”

Dr. Irene Muchoki, Chief Officer for Medical Services, noted that the County is nurturing a culture of scientific learning among healthcare professionals.

“Our goal is to translate research into actionable strategies that improve outcomes in our health facilities,” she remarked.

Speaking during the conference, County Secretary Godfrey Akumali emphasized the importance of institutional collaboration and cross departmental learning in implementing health priorities.

“Health is at the core of sustainable urban development,” he said. “Our departments must work seamlessly to ensure that research outcomes are integrated into planning and policy decisions that touch people’s lives.”

The conference featured presentations on key health topics including public health research, digital health innovations, nutrition, wellness, and the integration of ICT in healthcare. Participants also explored how evidence-based policies can accelerate the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within Nairobi.

Closing the conference, Suzanne Silantoi applauded researchers, health professionals, and partners for their valuable contributions and called for continued collaboration across sectors.

“The insights shared here will shape our health agenda going forward,” she said. “We remain committed to evidence-based decision-making and to transforming Nairobi into a model county for health and wellness.”

Now in its second edition, the Nairobi Health Scientific Conference has become a flagship event for the County’s health sector fostering dialogue, research, and partnerships that advance a healthier, more resilient, and inclusive city.

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💰 Pre-Conference Spotlight Event

Dive into the thought-provoking discussion: “The $20 vs $150 Dilemma – Towards Harmonized Clinical Trial Financing in Africa.”
This session will explore the disparities in trial financing across regions and how harmonized approaches can strengthen research equity, sustainability, and collaboration across the continent.

🗓️ Monday, 3rd November 2025
🕖 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (EAT)

👉 Don’t miss out—register now:
https://shorturl.at/TA3nP

**Nairobi County Equips Supply Chain Officers with Skills for Inclusive Procurement

Naivasha: 30th October 2025 - **A four-day training workshop aimed at promoting inclusivity and transparency in public procurement has today concluded in Naivasha, bringing together supply chain officers from across the Nairobi City County Government.

The training was organized by the Directorate of Public Participation, Citizen Engagement, and Customer Service, in partnership with Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) and the Open Contracting Partnership, and focused on strengthening the County’s capacity to implement inclusive contracting principles in line with the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program.

The AGPO initiative requires all public entities to allocate at least 30 percent of their procurement opportunities to youth, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). However, weak enforcement has limited its impact a challenge this workshop sought to address through practical learning and data-driven approaches.

Speaking during the closing session, Chief Officer for Public Participation, Citizen Engagement, and Customer Service, Zipporah Mwangi, said the training reflects the County’s strong commitment to inclusive governance and equal opportunity for all.

“This workshop has shown the power of collaboration. By equipping our supply chain officers with the knowledge and tools to make procurement more inclusive, we are giving real meaning to the promise of equal access to government opportunities. Inclusivity is about compliance, fairness, dignity, and empowerment,” said Ms. Mwangi.

The officers have also trained on e-government procurement systems, which will enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the tendering process. “Embracing technology is key to achieving open and responsive procurement. Through e-government systems, we can reduce bureaucracy, improve accessibility, and ensure that more youth, women, and persons with disabilities participate in county tenders,” she noted.

Ms. Mwangi further highlighted that inclusive procurement is one of Nairobi County’s four commitments under the Open Government Partnership (OGP), which was launched earlier this year.
“This training directly supports one of our key OGP commitments on open and inclusive procurement. The OGP was launched earlier this year, and we are now in the implementation stage turning our pledges into tangible action for the benefit of all Nairobians,” she added.

The training also brought on board the County ICT Department, whose contribution was instrumental in discussions on data management and open contracting systems.

Director of Public Participation and Citizen Engagement, Godffrey Ochele, said that involving both ICT and procurement teams demonstrates Nairobi County’s integrated approach to inclusive governance.

“To achieve true inclusivity, we must link people, data, and systems. Open contracting enables us to see who benefits from county tenders and where opportunities can be expanded. This collaboration ensures that fairness and transparency are built into every process,” said Mr. Ochele.

The workshop formed part of TI-Kenya’s project on Enhancing Inclusivity in Nairobi Public Contracts, which supports the County in applying open contracting principles and aligning with the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan.

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🚨 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍! 🚨

Be part of the 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 happening 𝟓𝐭𝐡–𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 at 𝐀𝐫𝐠𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥, 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢 🌍✨

This year’s theme: 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 (𝑼𝑯𝑪) 𝑻𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒑𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑮𝒐𝒂𝒍𝒔 2030 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑵𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒐𝒃𝒊 🏥💡

Why attend?
✅ Engage with leading health experts, policymakers and researchers
✅ Network with peers and innovators shaping the future of health
✅ Gain insights on sustainable strategies to accelerate UHC

🎟️ Secure your spot today!

🔗Register now via the QR code or visit our website bit.ly/NBOHSC2025

This week, Nairobi City County joined colleagues from the global network in Lusaka, collaborating with urban teams from East and Southern to share lessons learned and develop strategies to and reduce injuries.

nairobi.go.ke

Lydia Mathia defends Governor Sakaja's urban renewal vision Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has repeatedly stressed the need to accommodate more people as the city’s population surges 7 million during the day and 5 million at night.

🌍 Nairobi County Staff Informational Webinar

As we gear up for the 2nd Nairobi Health Scientific Conference (5–7 Nov 2025), join us for this special webinar designed to brief YOU on what this year’s conference has in store.

🗓 Date: Wednesday, 10th September 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (EAT)
📍 Register here: https://shorturl.at/yr215

🔑 Don’t miss insights from Dr. Ann Mwikya (Speaker) and Dr. Catherine Wambura (Moderator), who will guide us through this year’s preparations and opportunities.

✅ CPD Accredited