Victor Odera, AURA’s Kenya Country Manager./HANDOUT
Thousands of delivery riders working across Kenya's urban centres are set to benefit from enhanced safety and emergency support following a new partnership between emergency response technology firm AURA and on-demand delivery platform Glovo Kenya.
The collaboration seeks to provide Glovo's network of independent riders with rapid access to emergency assistance through a fully digitised response system that offers real-time incident reporting, monitoring and resolution.
The initiative comes at a time when concerns over road safety and the welfare of delivery riders continue to grow as demand for online ordering and delivery services expands across the country.
Under the partnership, riders using the Glovo platform will have access to AURA's emergency response network, which includes security, medical and roadside assistance services.
The system enables incidents to be logged, tracked and monitored in real time, allowing faster response and greater accountability.
Speaking during the announcement on Tuesday, AURA Kenya Country Manager Victor Odera said the partnership marks a major step towards improving rider safety through technology.
"Especially in complex urban environments like Nairobi, emergency response systems cannot be left to fragmented or ineffective systems.
This partnership brings full transparency to emergency response for the first time, ensuring every incident is visible, every response is trackable and every rider has access to rapid, verified support when they need it most," Odera stated.
He noted that the technology eliminates traditional challenges associated with emergency response by providing a clear and verifiable process from the moment an alert is raised to the final resolution of an incident.
Through the platform, Glovo's operations team will be able to monitor the entire emergency response process, including dispatch, arrival and resolution, ensuring riders receive timely assistance whenever they face emergencies on the road.
Glovo Kenya Operations Manager Liz Wambua said the company remains committed to creating a safer working environment for the independent riders who use its platform.
"Through our partnership with AURA, we are empowering the independent riders who use our platform with robust safety and health protections. Knowing that they are securely covered against unexpected road risks, from breakdowns to emergency response, gives them peace of mind to focus on what they do best," she said.
Wambua added that the initiative reflects Glovo's broader commitment to urban safety and the well-being of riders, who play a critical role in connecting customers to businesses every day.
The partnership is expected to improve emergency preparedness while setting a new standard for rider welfare within Kenya's rapidly growing gig economy sector.
Founded in 2017, AURA has built one of Kenya's largest emergency response networks, comprising more than 2,000 vetted responders who provide security, medical and roadside assistance services. The company operates in Kenya, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Glovo, founded in Barcelona in 2015, operates in 22 countries across Europe, Central Asia and Africa, connecting customers to restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores and retail outlets through its digital marketplace.
As Kenya's digital economy continues to grow, stakeholders believe initiatives that prioritise rider safety will be crucial in ensuring the sustainable growth of the delivery industry while protecting the workers who keep it running.
