By Grace Awuor Otieno
The Government of Kenya and the Beginnings Fund, a philanthropic initiative, have signed a five-year cooperative agreement that will inject USD 80 million (approximately KSh10.4 billion) into maternal and newborn healthcare.
The partnership, signed through the Ministry of Health in Nairobi, will support approximately 200 high-volume health facilities by strengthening the health workforce, referral networks, essential medicines and technologies, and health information systems.
The programme is expected to reach about 5.9 million women and newborns in 21 priority counties and help prevent an estimated 46,494 deaths by 2031.
Kenya continues to face a significant maternal and newborn health burden despite progress over recent years. Maternal mortality remains at an estimated 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality stands at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births and stillbirths at 19 per 1,000 births. Most of these deaths are preventable through timely access to quality care.
Aden Duale, Health Cabinet Secretary, said the success of the agreement would depend on implementation rather than the signing itself, stressing that the ultimate measure would be fewer maternal deaths, newborn deaths and stillbirths together with stronger health systems.
Alice Kang’ethe, Beginnings Fund Chief Executive Officer, said the organisation would provide catalytic funding while working alongside national and county governments to strengthen existing health systems.
She said the partnership builds on Kenya’s leadership in prioritising maternal and newborn health and aligns with national initiatives including the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, Universal Health Coverage reforms and Taifa Care.
Kang’ethe said Kenya is among the first countries to formally launch a partnership under the initiative, joining several African countries participating in the programme.
The fund is backed by philanthropic partners including the Mohamed bin Zayed Foundation for Humanity, the Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Delta Philanthropies and The ELMA Foundation.
Kenya is among the first countries to formally launch a country partnership under the Beginnings Fund, joining Malawi, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Uganda, Ghana, Lesotho, and Nigeria in the Fund’s country partnerships across Africa.
