Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu has been forced to pump the brakes on a controversial motorcycle ambulance scheme following a ferocious public backlash that termed the initiative "primitive" and unsafe.

The project, unveiled with fanfare at the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital earlier this week, featured a fleet of motorcycles fitted with sidecar stretchers, intended to navigate the rugged terrain of Laikipia North. However, the optics of transporting expectant mothers and the critically ill in open-air sidecars sparked an immediate firestorm on social media, with critics accusing the county administration of settling for substandard healthcare solutions.

The Pivot Under Pressure

Initially, Governor Irungu defended the "boda-ambulances" as a pragmatic solution to the county's vast and inaccessible geography. "These units can reach where a Land Cruiser cannot," he had argued during the launch. But the narrative shifted dramatically after the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee—and the court of public opinion—weighed in.

Sources within the county government now indicate a "change of tune," with the Governor refuting claims that this was a mass rollout to replace standard ambulances. The administration is now characterizing the bikes as a "feeder service" or a pilot project under review, effectively suspending widespread deployment until safety protocols are re-evaluated.

• The Safety Concern: Medical experts raised alarms about the stability of the sidecars on rocky paths and the lack of life-support equipment on board.
• The Cost Question: Questions are also being asked about the procurement costs, with residents demanding to know if the funds could have purchased more Toyota Land Cruisers instead.

A Lesson in Public Engagement

The U-turn highlights a critical disconnect between policy planners and public expectation. In 2026, the electorate demands dignity in service delivery, not just basic access. The image of a pregnant woman being rattled around in a motorcycle sidecar clashed violently with the "Bottom-Up" promise of dignified healthcare.

"We will not accept wheelbarrows for ambulances," one resident posted on X, capturing the mood that forced the Governor's hand. For now, the motorbikes remain parked, a silent testament to the power of public scrutiny. The Governor has promised a comprehensive statement, but the message from Laikipia is loud and clear: innovation cannot come at the expense of dignity.