In the heart of Makueni County, a powerful conversation unfolded, one that placed women, newborns, and adolescents at the center of policy, practice, and purpose. Convened under the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI), an induction meeting held in early February, 2025 brought together county leadership, healthcare professionals, and national advocates with a single, urgent goal: to eliminate preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
Chaired by His Excellency Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the meeting marked a key moment in Makueni’s commitment to maternal, newborn, and adolescent health. Leading the OMMI delegation was Dr Susan Ontiri, ICRHK Country Director together with our partner Professor Anne-Beatrice Kihara, the Executive Director of Women Engaged in Development. The two underscored the urgency of acting now while there is still time to meet national and global targets.
At the core of the meeting was the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) framework, a rights-based, data-driven approach that builds on the global Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) and Sustainable Development Goal 3. Professor Kihara made it clear: Kenya is off track, and counties like Makueni hold the key to turning that around.
Makueni county’s maternal mortality ratio remains high at 479 deaths per 100,000 live births—well above the national average. Key bottlenecks persist: limited access to emergency obstetric care, under-resourced referral systems, shortages of skilled birth attendants, and a high burden of adolescent pregnancies.
Dr. Doris Mbithi, representing the County Department of Health, highlighted the progress already being made: community-based maternity open days, active male champions in the wards, outreach programs for youth, and a new generation of paediatricians serving across the county. Makueni has also embraced digital tools, including telemedicine services for hard-to-reach areas and social media groups that connect new mothers and promote antenatal care.
One of the county’s proudest achievements shared with emotion was the sudden reduction in maternal deaths. “In the last two years, we have recorded zero maternal deaths,” Dr. Mbithi reported. “That is something worth celebrating, but we know our work is far from over especially in reducing neonatal mortality.”
OMMI’s plan for Makueni is ambitious and grounded in evidence. It includes increasing skilled birth attendance, scaling up antenatal visits, expanding access to family planning, and using real-time data to improve outcomes. Special attention is being given to eliminating postpartum haemorrhage, the leading cause of maternal deaths, through the widespread use of heat-stable uterotonics like carbetocin and strengthening blood transfusion services.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. closed the meeting with a powerful reflection on equity and dignity.
“Women in Moyale, Garissa, or Makueni are all women of Kenya. They all deserve the same chance to live and thrive. That is why we must ensure the last mile is the first priority.”
The Governor committed to signing a formal partnership with OMMI and called for greater investment in emergency transport, health worker training, and nutrition. A county nutrition policy is set to launch in March 2025, and discussions are underway to integrate artificial intelligence into maternal health tracking.
He also encouraged his team to document and present their work at national forums like the Devolution Conference, reminding all present that “health parameters are man-made” and that bold leadership can change the narrative.
As the meeting concluded, a shared vision echoed through the room; one of zero preventable maternal deaths, zero newborn deaths, and zero adolescent deaths.
OMMI partners, including the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK), Women Engaged in Development, and the Kenya Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society (KOGS), reaffirmed their commitment to walking alongside Makueni County over the next three years.
Because no woman should die giving life. And no child should lose theirs before it even begins.
