In April 2025, the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) made its official entry into Kilifi County, through a series of strategic high-level engagements with county and national government leadership. OMMI project, implemented by Shina Foundation with support from the International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK), it aims to accelerate progress in reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality by influencing policy, increasing domestic investment, and strengthening accountability in health programming.
Driving County Leadership Support: Governor and First Lady Meeting
On April 23, OMMI team secured a courtesy call to H.E. Governor Gideon Mung’aro and H.E. County First Lady Suzanne Mung’aro. The Governor welcomed the initiative, citing firsthand experiences that highlight the urgent need to improve emergency obstetric care and expand health infrastructure across the county. He endorsed the establishment of a dedicated MNCH+N budget line in the 2025/2026 Financial Year and emphasized the importance of stakeholder coordination.The First Lady was called upon to serve as a county champion for maternal and child health.
County Assembly Briefing: Legislative Backing for MNCH+N
On April 24, OMMI team met with Hon. Teddy Mwambire, Speaker of the County Assembly, and key Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), including the Majority Whip, Women Caucus leader, and senior legislative staff. The assembly members acknowledged the alarming maternal and child health data and committed to champion the MNCH+N agenda.
Notably, the Speaker promised to assign the Health Committee to address issues such as early discharge of mothers post-delivery and limited postnatal care. The Clerk, Hon. CPA Michael Ngala, noted that the Kilifi County RMNCH Bill was at its second reading and encouraged OMMI team to submit a memorandum for strengthening MNCH+N provisions. Legislators welcomed the proposal for a ring-fenced MNCH+N budget and praised OMMI’s timely intervention.
Partnership with the County Women Representative
We also engaged Hon. Getrude Mbeyu Mwanyanje, Kilifi’s County Women Representative, who pledged to prioritize MNCH+N within the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF). She committed to developing a proposal focusing on teenage pregnancies and support for vulnerable mothers and expressed concern over barriers created by the transition from Linda Mama to the new Social Health Authority (SHA).
The Women Rep expressed her readiness to be a community champion for the OMMI project and appreciated the strategic county engagements already undertaken by Shina Foundation.
Engagement with the Senator: Legislative Oversight and Advocacy
On April 27, Senator (Rtd.) Stewart Madzayo, who also serves as the Senate Minority Leader, met with the OMMI team and voiced concern over Kilifi’s MNCH+N statistics, especially in Rabai and Ganze sub-counties. He committed to raising these concerns with county leadership and pushing for adequate national oversight and resource allocation from the Senate. He stressed that no woman should lose her life while giving birth and that awareness creation is vital to encourage health-seeking behavior.
Support from National Government Administration
On April 28, OMMI through Shina Foundation engaged the Deputy County Commissioner for Kilifi North Sub County, representing the Office of the County Commissioner. The administration pledged security and logistical support for the project and offered to facilitate introductions across Kilifi’s 182 sub-locations and 62 locations. The Deputy County Commissioner proposed a sensitization forum for chiefs and assistant county commissioners to ensure alignment on community messaging and safety.
A County Ready to Act
Across all meetings from the County Executive and Assembly to the Office of the Senator, Women Representative, and National Government Administration there was a unified acknowledgment: Kilifi County must act now to protect the lives of mothers and children.
With political goodwill secured, data in hand, and community partnerships forming, Kilifi is poised to become a model county for maternal and child health advocacy and accountability.
