A desperate search for means of transport turned into a medical emergency for a family in Kiambu on the night of April 26, 2026, when Vivian Muthoni went into labour and needed urgent hospital attention.
With her condition worsening, her sister-in-law, who was accompanying her, struggled to secure a ride to take her to Kiambu Hospital.
She said she made several requests for transport but received no response from some drivers, while others did not turn up.
“It was on the night of April 26, 2026, when my brother’s wife, Vivian Muthoni, went into labour. I needed to get her to Kiambu Hospital, so I requested a ride, but the driver did not respond. I tried again, but the second driver also did not respond, while another one failed to show up,” Vivian’s sister-in-law narrated.
Bolt SOS Call Triggers Swift Response During Woman’s Labour Crisis
With limited options, she used the emergency feature on the Bolt application and pressed the SOS button.
An emergency response team immediately called to establish the nature of the problem and the assistance required.
She explained that Vivian was experiencing labour pains and needed to be taken to hospital. The response team then told her an emergency vehicle would arrive within 11 minutes.
“I then noticed the SOS button and pressed it immediately. As soon as I activated it, I received a phone call from the response team asking what the problem was. I explained that Vivian was experiencing labour pains and needed to be taken to Kiambu Hospital.
They arranged a vehicle and told me it would arrive in 11 minutes. When it arrived, the doctor in the vehicle began asking questions to establish Vivian’s condition,” she said.
According to her account, the vehicle arrived within the promised time, with medical personnel who assessed Vivian before helping her onto a stretcher.
The medics administered initial medical assistance and continued monitoring her condition while looking for a hospital that could attend to her.
The team contacted several health facilities to find a doctor available to receive her.
After Kiambu Hospital could not provide the required emergency assistance, a facility in Ruiru confirmed that it had a doctor available.
The medical team then transported Vivian to the facility, where she received further treatment and was prepared for delivery.
Her sister-in-law said the medical personnel remained attentive throughout the journey, including taking a route with fewer bumps to minimize discomfort.
Vivian was eventually taken into theatre, where she delivered successfully. Both mother and baby were later confirmed to be in good health.
The family said it did not cover the emergency response, ambulance transport, or initial medical assistance.
Reflecting on the experience, Vivian’s sister-in-law said the SOS button had provided help at a time when the family had almost given up finding a way to get her to hospital.
She encouraged other Bolt users to familiarize themselves with the emergency feature, saying it could prove useful when immediate assistance is needed.
In addition, she said the medics took precautions during the journey, avoiding bumpy roads and rough patches that could aggravate Vivian’s pain. The rescue.co team left only after confirming she had been admitted to the hospital.
The service was provided at no cost, with no charge for transport or medical assistance. Hours later, a doctor confirmed that Vivian had delivered safely and that both mother and baby were in good condition.
Also Read: Bolt Introduces 3 New Ride Options for Kenyans
Other Incidents
In another incident in Nairobi, Ruth Njeri found herself in need of urgent medical assistance after experiencing labour pains at home.
Njeri had earlier visited a hospital in Komarock after developing abdominal pain and backache but returned home. When the discomfort persisted, she needed help getting back to the facility.
While navigating the Bolt app, she came across the SOS feature and activated it. A rescue.co response team called shortly afterwards to establish the nature of the emergency. After learning that she was pregnant and in labour, the team assured her that an ambulance would be sent.
The responders stayed in touch as they arranged assistance, eventually dispatching an ambulance to her location.
Upon arrival, the medics assessed her condition, checked her blood pressure and asked which hospital she preferred. She requested to return to the facility in Komarock, where she had previously sought treatment.
The team transported her to the hospital and assisted with the admission arrangements before handing her over to medical personnel. Njeri later delivered safely, with Bolt covering the ambulance, first aid and transport costs.
Also Read: Bolt Named Among Kenya’s Top 10 Strongest Brands in 2026
What Is the SOS Button?
Bolt’s SOS button is an emergency feature available on both the passenger and driver apps. It allows either party to request urgent medical or security assistance during an active trip.
In Kenya, Bolt works with rescue.co, a private emergency response provider that handles alerts raised through the feature.
Once activated, the system shares the user’s name, phone number and location with rescue.co. Its dispatch team then calls to establish the nature of the emergency and determine the assistance required.
The response team aims to contact users within 60 seconds of an alert, with the average call response time remaining below 51 seconds. Depending on the circumstances, medical or security personnel are dispatched to the scene.
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