As part of its commitment to locally led solutions, the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) is empowering community voices to champion maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH+N) across Kilifi County. Led by the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK), OMMI is designed to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting quality and equitable health services through policy action, increased domestic funding, and community-driven advocacy.
In line with this vision, OMMI has rolled out an ambitious grassroots champion program in Kilifi County. Through support from our partner Shina Foundation, the initiative has identified and onboarded 70 community champions, ten from each of the seven sub-counties: Ganze, Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Magarini, Malindi, Kaloleni, and Rabai.
The selection process prioritized individuals with a proven track record in community change, women’s empowerment, and social mobilization. The champions represent a diverse range of backgrounds including health, social services, faith-based leadership, and human rights ensuring that maternal and child health messages reach all corners of the community through trusted voices.
Importantly, the selection was carried out with a strong commitment to inclusivity and fairness. There was no discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, or background, and all champions consented to their roles following a due diligence process.
OMMI team Hosts Strategic Meeting with Council of Governors to Advance Maternal and Newborn Health Priorities
In a bold move to accelerate progress toward ending preventable maternal and child deaths, the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK) in collaboration with Ushiriki Wema convened a high-level inception meeting with the Health Directorate of the Council of Governors (CoG). The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the rollout of the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) a multi-stakeholder advocacy effort aimed at improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes across Kenya.
Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, OMMI aligns directly with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Target 3.1, which seeks to reduce global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030. Through strategic advocacy and multi-sector partnerships, OMMI aims to create sustainable change in 16 priority counties by:
- Strengthening policy implementation that protects the health and rights of women and children,
- Accelerating the adoption of high-impact, evidence-based interventions (“best buys”) at scale,
- Increasing both the quality and quantity of domestic financing for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) at national and county levels.
The meeting, held in Nairobi, brought together key actors from national and county governments to explore opportunities for collaboration and accountability. It also underscored the importance of political leadership and budgetary commitment in translating policies into impactful programs.
This engagement with the Council of Governors signals a strong political will to center maternal and newborn health in Kenya’s development agenda. It also reflects OMMI’s unique value proposition a locally anchored, evidence-driven initiative that leverages both technical expertise and political capital to save lives.
As the prime implementer of OMMI, ICRHK remains committed to building a movement where policy change, community voice, and financial accountability work together to give every mother and child a chance to survive and thrive.
