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St John Ambulance has debunked claims that some of their vehicles were used to evacuate Members of Parliament (MPs) during the Tuesday, June 25, 2024 protests in Nairobi.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, St John Ambulance explained that one of their ambulances received a distress call at Bunge Tower.

Bound by their code of operation, St John Ambulance responded swiftly. The rescue service thus denied claims that MPs intentionally used their vehicles to escape after protesters breached security and stormed the Parliament Building.

“We want to address the concerns on social media alleging that St John Ambulance was used to evacuate Members of Parliament during the Tuesday protests in Nairobi,” part of the statement read.

“As an Emergency Response Organization, we are bound to respond to all emergency calls impartially. Our ambulance was called to respond to one casualty incident at Bunge Tower in addition to several other incidents responded to during the protests across the city,” it added.

This is after social media reports pointed accusing fingers at the organisation for evacuating MPs instead of attending to injured protesters.

Kenya Red Cross also reported that some of their ambulances were targeted by violent protesters.

“We have no contact or role in transporting persons other than the injured. The rumours must stop. We can’t provide life-saving interventions without access and safety for our staff and volunteers,” the Kenya Red Cross however clarified.

Our vehicles have been attacked.

Staff and volunteers injured.

We have no contact or role in transporting persons other than the injured.

The rumours must stop. We can't provide life-saving interventions without access and safety for our staff and volunteers.

It is crucial… pic.twitter.com/dS9nNZWKYp

— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) June 25, 2024

Number of those evacuated

According to St John Ambulance, they evacuated 17 casualties, 2 in critical condition to the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi West and Mbagathi Hospitals.

29 other casualties were attended at a temporary clinic set up at the St John Ambulance Headquarters next to Bunge Tower.

“We urge the public to consider the safety of emergency service providers and give way to the ambulances to reach affected casualties and get them to the hospital in good time,” St John further explained.

St John Kenya is a first aid and health charity organization incorporated in the Republic of Kenya under the St John Ambulance of Kenya Act, Cap. 259 of the Laws of Kenya with mandates to provide Emergency Medical Care, and promote charitable works.

St John’s actions are aimed at reducing human suffering, and further have extensive expertise and experience in disaster risk management and emergency medical services, and have a proven track record of providing quality emergency medical response, training, and community outreach programs.

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