Kenya has strengthened its drive to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths following the signing of a Cooperation Framework between the Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund, marking a major milestone in advancing equitable, high-quality maternal and newborn healthcare through nationally led reforms.
The partnership unlocks an investment of USD 80 million (approximately KSh 10.4 billion) over the next five years to accelerate implementation of Kenya’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan and support the country’s 90-90-80-80 maternal and newborn health targets.
The programme will focus on 21 high-burden counties and nearly 200 high-volume health facilities, with interventions expected to benefit close to six million women and newborns by 2030.
Supported by the Beginnings Fund, the Gates Foundation, the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other global partners, the initiative will strengthen efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths while building a more resilient and sustainable health system.
Maternal and newborn health reforms in Kenya
The partnership complements the Government’s ongoing maternal and newborn health reforms, including the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) launched by President William Ruto under the Taifa Care programme. It will strengthen leadership, improve the quality of care, promote innovation, enhance sustainable financing and reinforce accountability to reduce maternal mortality, newborn deaths and stillbirths.
Key investments will support the availability of lifesaving medicines, essential commodities and medical technologies, improve maternity and newborn infrastructure, expand the health workforce, strengthen emergency referral systems, accelerate digital health solutions and enhance health information systems.
The interventions will further advance Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda while aligning development partner investments with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the Ministry is championing a country-led approach to health sector transformation, noting that development partnerships must shift from fragmented projects to coordinated investments that strengthen government systems and deliver sustainable health outcomes.
He emphasised that successful implementation will depend on close collaboration between the National Government, county governments and development partners.
The Cabinet Secretary commended the Beginnings Fund for aligning its investment with Kenya’s national health priorities and called for a unified approach anchored on one plan, one budget and one accountability framework to enhance transparency, efficiency and collective responsibility in delivering results.
The signing of the Cooperation Framework represents a significant step towards ensuring every woman has access to safe, quality maternity care and every newborn is given the best possible chance to survive and thrive.
