Kenya continues to grapple with a persistent maternal and newborn health crisis that threatens to reverse decades of public health progress. While global figures show that maternal and infant mortality rates are decreasing, the country still finds itself facing stark statistics and systemic challenges that hamper meaningful change. Every year, thousands of Kenyan women and their newborns lose their lives due to complications that are often preventable. These deaths are not merely numbers they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and a healthcare system under immense strain.
Currently, the maternal mortality ratio in Kenya is estimated at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, translating to around 5,000 maternal deaths annually. In terms of newborn survival, the country records about 21 deaths per 1,000 live births, equating to approximately 33,600 neonatal deaths each year. These grim numbers have raised concerns, especially as Kenya remains behind on achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which call for a drastic reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
The root causes are complex and multifaceted, but most share a common thread: they are preventable with access to timely, quality healthcare. Postpartum hemorrhage, sepsis, and pre-eclampsia continue to claim the lives of mothers, while premature births, asphyxia, and infections are the leading culprits of neonatal mortality. A significant portion of these cases occur in low-resource settings, where medical facilities are understaffed, underfunded, and ill-equipped.
A 2023 audit by Kenya’s Auditor-General laid bare the glaring deficiencies in the healthcare infrastructure. Only a fraction about 10% of maternal health programs are government-funded. The remainder depend on external donor support, a precarious situation made more urgent by recent global economic downturns and shifting funding priorities. In counties like West Pokot and Isiolo, even the most basic medical equipment is in short supply, forcing healthcare workers to operate in conditions that compromise both safety and dignity.
The Linda Mama initiative, once hailed as a lifeline for expectant mothers, has seen its budget halved in the 2024/25 fiscal year from Sh4 billion to Sh2 billion. Although now part of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) and expanded to cover a wider range of services, access to these benefits depends on registration and the ability to pay premiums. For indigent mothers, this poses a significant barrier, effectively limiting access to care for those who need it most.
Strikes by healthcare professionals have also added to the turbulence, leaving expectant mothers in limbo during critical windows of care. In February 2025, clinical officers and doctors walked off the job, citing poor working conditions and unpaid salaries. Some mothers were turned away from facilities, forced to seek help in overcrowded or ill-equipped clinics. With nurses also threatening to strike, the risk of further disruptions remains high.
The situation in neonatal units mirrors the struggles seen in maternal care. Incubators are often shared by multiple newborns, increasing the risk of infection. Kangaroo Mother Care a low-cost but effective method for supporting premature babies is underutilized due to a lack of trained staff and designated spaces. Meanwhile, many Level 2 and 3 facilities lack essential services like ultrasound scans, making early diagnosis of complications nearly impossible.
According to a 2024 USAID report, Kenya ranks fourth in Africa for the highest maternal mortality rates, with an alarming figure of 594 deaths per 100,000 live births far above the SDG target of 70. This underscores the urgent need for a coordinated national response, increased domestic funding, and reforms in healthcare delivery.
As the global community observes World Health Day, Kenya’s struggle serves as a sobering reminder that real progress requires more than just promises. It demands political will, sustained investment, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of mothers and their newborns. Without urgent and transformative action, the country risks falling further behind, with dire consequences for future generations.
