Editor's Review

The government, taking note of the increasing cases of maternal mortality, rolled out a programme.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has announced plans to curb the increasing cases of expectant mothers dying while giving birth.

Kenya is regarded as one with highest cases of maternal mortality in, at least, East Africa.

The deaths are majorly caused by poor healthcare system characterised by delays in emergency response and blood shortage, among other factors.

Duale, whole acknowledging the challenges, announced the rollout of "No Woman Should Die While Giving Life" programme to curb the deaths.

The CS the programme would be enhanced through deployment of competent birth personnel and systems.

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"No mother who visits any of our health care centers not as a patient but healthy and happy should die. Already introducing a key strategy through deliberate actions to improved access to skilled birth attendants, quality healthcare, and better healthcare systems," the CS declared.

Health CS Aden Duale.

Duale added that the strategy would not end at the provision of qualified birth attendants and systems.

Financing will also be a key factor in the strategy.

The CS said the programme will be tailored to each county to fit the specific needs arising there, with keen focus on at least 20 counties where cases of maternal deaths have been on a constant rise.

"We shall be improving healthcare financing, and using data to plan for county-specific needs. Over 20 counties are on the radar on high maternal mortality rates . We are already acting as a ministry," he said.

Meanwile, Duale urged expectant women to do their part in helping curb maternal mortality.

Mothers have been counselled to invest in clinic visits to have complications that could contribute to the deaths detected and corrected in advance.

"We urge our women to start prenatal care early, seeing a health care provider throughout the pregnancy, and being sure to attend postpartum visits can help to prevent and treat severe pregnancy-related complications," he said.

Challenges have outdone the efforts by the government to reduce cases of women dying at childbirth.

As of 2025, Kenya's maternal mortality rate stands at 530 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Data from World Bank indicates that at least 7,700 women have died in Kenya between 2020 and 2025 while giving birth.

Besides the aforementioned contributors, major causes include postpartum hemorrhage at 28.4%) and pre-eclampsia (15.7%).