Kenya’s maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) sector faces significant challenges, including high mortality rates and limited access to healthcare services. Although there has been some progress in vaccination and antenatal care, the maternal mortality rate fell by less than two percent between 2014 and 2019. United Nations data show that Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio remains one of the highest in East Africa, exceeding those of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. Slow progress in MNCH is linked to fragmented policies, inconsistent county financing, and short‑term funding. Devolution has blurred responsibilities between national and county governments, creating gaps in planning, poor reporting, and weak accountability.
Newborn and child deaths have also declined only slightly, and the improvements are constrained by inequities. Children born to mothers with only primary education experience higher mortality rates than those whose mothers have secondary education or higher. To address these challenges, the proposed Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Bill, 2023, seeks to establish a clear legal framework that guarantees the right to MNCH services. The bill obliges both national and county governments to respect, protect, and fulfill these rights through enforceable mechanisms, ensuring access to the full continuum of care—from pre‑pregnancy through childhood—and protecting marginalized and hard‑to‑reach communities.
The MNCH Bill also guarantees respectful, dignified, and non‑discriminatory care regardless of identity, and it strengthens health financing at the county level by mandating budget allocations for MNCH. It aims to improve service availability through better infrastructure and supplies, such as ambulances, essential medicines, and skilled health workers. Additionally, the bill institutionalizes accountability and reporting: the Cabinet Secretary and County Executives must submit annual reports to Parliament and County Assemblies on services, financing, and gaps.
Passing the MNCH Bill is crucial for delivering on Kenya’s promise of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). With government officials, communities, civil society, and health workers rallying together, the country is poised to turn commitments into action. As the bill reaches its final committee stages, citizens are encouraged to contact their Members of Parliament to express support. Implementing the MNCH Bill will be a significant step toward reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality and ensuring that “health for all” becomes a binding national pledge rather than just a slogan.
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