Kenya is stepping up targeted investments to accelerate the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn deaths, with the Government moving to establish 10 comprehensive maternal and newborn health facilities in counties with the highest burden.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Thursday, August 13, 2026, hosted governors and their representatives, led by Council of Governors Health Committee Chairperson and Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Nassir, for bilateral deliberations on translating President William Ruto’s directive to prioritise maternal and newborn health into concrete action.
Where will 10 comprehensive maternal and newborn health facilities be established?
The 250-bed specialised facilities will be established across Nairobi, Bomet, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru,West Pokot and Uasin Gishu, bringing critical maternal and newborn services closer to communities and strengthening the country’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.
Supported by a Ksh 4.4 billion grant from Amsons Group through the Mama na Mtoto Kwanza initiative, in partnership with the Government of Kenya, the project complements the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) programme and is designed to address gaps in specialised care.
Each facility will integrate antenatal and postnatal care, labour and recovery services, obstetric care, Caesarean sections, neonatal and maternal intensive care, theatres, NICUs and post-Caesarean wards, creating a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers and newborns.
The investments will prioritise areas of greatest need, following the mapping of 26 counties that collectively account for approximately 60 per cent of Kenya’s maternal deaths. This targeted approach is aligned with WHO benchmarks and the country’s commitment to ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
How many healthcare workers have been trained in obstetric care?
Workforce capacity is also being strengthened under EWENE, with 900 healthcare workers trained in obstetric care and another 900 in comprehensive newborn care. The ongoing recruitment of 5,000 nurses and midwives will further expand the skilled workforce available to support these services.
Complementing the infrastructure investment, Ksh 4 billion is being channelled through the Social Health Authority to support maternal deliveries at Levels 2 and 3 facilities, widening access to safe and quality maternity care.
With groundbreaking expected by September 2026, the discussions focused on strengthening national-county coordination and fast-tracking implementation to ensure the investments translate into measurable improvements in maternal and newborn survival.
The meeting brought together Governors Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu and Cecily Mbarire of Embu, Deputy Governors Shadrack Rotich of Bomet and Achaule Robert of West Pokot, County Executive Committee Members led by Dr. Gregory Ganda of Kisumu, Ministry of Health Director for Family Health Dr. Bashir Issak, Presidential Advisor on Health Wilson Aruasa, Head of Infrastructure, Projects and Grants Management Dr. Hezron Omolo and other Ministry officials.
