In a major step toward improving maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCH+N), Kilifi County’s leadership has pledged its commitment to the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) following a high-level stakeholder meeting convened by International Centre for Reproductive Health Kenya (ICRHK) in partnership with Shina Foundation.
The meeting, held with the County Executive Committee (CEC) and the Department of Health Services and Sanitation, served as the official county-level launch of the OMMI project. The project aims to accelerate progress toward reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths and improving health outcomes for mothers and children across Kenya.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Hassan Leli, the County Director of Health Services, praised Shina Foundation’s strategic and respectful entry into the county and reaffirmed the health department’s commitment to supporting the initiative. “We are committed to integrating Shina Foundation into our RMNCAH technical working groups and look forward to a collaborative effort in improving the health of Kilifi’s women and children,” he said.
The launch comes against the backdrop of worrying maternal and child health indicators in the county. Recent data shows a sharp decline in antenatal care attendance, with only 24% of women completing the recommended four ANC visits by mid-FY2024/25 — down from 53% the previous year. Sub-counties such as Rabai, Ganze, and Kilifi South have been identified as priority areas due to low ANC attendance, high anemia rates among pregnant women, and weak referral systems.
During the meeting, Polycarp Oyoo, OMMI Project Coordinator at ICRHK, presented the project’s strategic goals, which include increasing domestic funding for MNCH+N, strengthening implementation of life-saving interventions, and enhancing accountability systems. The project aligns with global frameworks such as the Every Newborn Action Plan (ENAP) and the Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM) initiative, both of which aim to fast-track progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Participants discussed challenges facing the county’s maternal and newborn health sector, including the need for better data disaggregation, improved nutrition interventions, and enhanced postnatal care. Despite multiple investments and high-impact interventions such as maternity open days and mentorship programs for emergency obstetric care, stakeholders noted that progress remains slow and uneven.
ICRHK also shared highlights from its previous work in Kilifi County, including support for over 3,500 first-time young mothers under its FTYM program, HIV prevention services through Drop-In Centres (DICEs), and improved access to postpartum hemorrhage medicines through the PMAP project. These experiences will inform the organization’s continued technical support for OMMI in the county.
The meeting drew participation from across departments, with representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Water, and Gender pledging to integrate maternal and child health priorities into their own programming. Karen Sidi from the Department of Agriculture emphasized the need to address maternal anemia through urban farming and nutrition, while James Thubu from the Department of Water stressed the importance of clean water access in health facilities. The Gender Director, Mwangome Cyrilus, underlined the shared responsibility of both duty bearers and right holders in realizing better MNCH outcomes.
In her remarks, Nazi Kivutha, Chairperson of Shina Foundation, reflected on the foundation’s work in Makueni County and reiterated her commitment to replicating successful approaches in Kilifi. “No woman should die while giving life. We are here to work with all stakeholders to bring lasting change in maternal and child health outcomes in this county,” she said. She also highlighted the foundation’s unique model of community engagement from radio talk shows and locally produced music with health messages to the formation of grassroots accountability committees that will monitor MNCH+N budget utilization.
The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to action, with the county health department promising to integrate OMMI into its RMNCAH quarterly review meetings and county-wide coordination frameworks.
As the county begins to implement its health budget for FY2025/26, it is expected that OMMI will play a central role in strengthening maternal and child survival a promise now backed by political goodwill, technical expertise, and growing community momentum.
