Dr Sylvia Mruttu, obstetrician & gynaecologist at The Nairobi Hospital.
In 2025,
Unicef reported that Kenya’s maternal mortality rate stood at 530 deaths
per 100,000 live births. While this reflects an 11% improvement from the
previous year, it remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa and is far
from the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.1 target of fewer than 70
maternal deaths per 100,000 live births by 2030.
Achieving this
target within the next five years will require a significant annual
reduction in maternal deaths, possible only through coordinated,
multistakeholder action.
Globally,
maternal health remains an urgent challenge. UNICEF data from 2023 showed a
maternal mortality rate of 197 deaths per 100,000 live births, meaning
nearly 260,000 women die annually, or one every two minutes, due to
pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Alarmingly, Africa
accounts for 70% of these deaths. At the same time, more than two million
newborns die within their first month of life every year, mostly from
preventable causes.
Kenya has made
commendable progress in the last decade. The Ministry of Health has expanded
infrastructure, trained professionals, and improved access to maternal
healthcare services, often in partnership with Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs), private institutions, and faith-based organisations. These
collective efforts have moved the country closer to Universal Health Coverage
(UHC).
However, gaps persist. Beyond infrastructure and workforce shortages, especially in rural and marginalised areas, harmful cultural beliefs and misconceptions remain major barriers. Some families still believe that medical care is only necessary when complications arise, leading to skipped antenatal visits and undetected high-risk conditions.
Stigma surrounding caesarean sections also discourages
women from accepting life-saving interventions, while reliance on traditional
birth attendants often results in preventable tragedies. These misconceptions
are silent contributors to maternal and newborn deaths, highlighting the
need for sustained education and public engagement alongside
system-level investments.
Every year, The Nairobi Hospital hosts the Daddy, Mommy & Baby Fair in collaboration with partners and healthcare practitioners from across the country. The 2025 edition, held in August, provided a unique platform that brought essential conversations directly to families.
Participants engaged in interactive sessions led by medical experts
from the hospital and partner organizations. These discussions addressed common
myths surrounding pregnancy and childbirth, sparking candid conversations that
encouraged families to seek proper medical support.
Stakeholders in the healthcare sector
should initiate similar events aimed at raising public awareness around
pregnancy, labor, and childbirth, bringing together expectant mothers, parents
with young children, and caregivers such as nannies.
By doing so, they can help debunk
myths, promote evidence-based practices, and create open spaces for dialogue.
Moreover, these initiatives empower parents and caregivers with the knowledge
they need to make informed decisions, leading to healthier pregnancies, safer
deliveries, and thriving children.
The journey toward achieving these goals cannot be undertaken by individual health entities alone. Strong partnerships, ranging from baby product suppliers to healthcare providers, are crucial in bridging knowledge gaps and building trust within communities.
By
combining the medical expertise of institutions with the grassroots influence
of community health promoters and other stakeholders, the country can
accelerate progress toward safe motherhood and healthier families.
The fight against maternal mortality
is not just about saving lives, it is about upholding dignity, promoting
equality, and protecting the right to safe motherhood. With urgency,
collaboration, and sustained commitment, Kenya can stay on track to achieve its
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
