Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has sounded the alarm over persistently high maternal mortality rates in 20 counties, pledging immediate and targeted intervention to reverse the worrying trend.

In a statement posted on X, Duale emphasised that the government is already rolling out a key strategy dubbed “No Woman Should Die While Giving Life”, aimed at improving maternal health outcomes across the country.

“We shall be improving healthcare financing and using data to plan for county-specific needs,” the CS said.

Duale stated that the government is committed to scaling up access to skilled birth attendants, ensuring the quality of care, and strengthening health systems.

According to the 2024 USAID Report on Preventing Child and Maternal Deaths, Kenya’s maternal mortality rate currently stands at 594 deaths per 100,000 live births, significantly above the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 per 100,000 by 2030.

“No mother who visits any of our healthcare centres—not as a patient, but healthy and happy—should die,” Duale stated, reiterating the urgency of reducing preventable maternal deaths.

The Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) report identifies Siaya, Tana River, Garissa, and Isiolo as the counties with the highest facility-based maternal mortality rates.

Conversely, Vihiga, Baringo, Nandi, and Nyamira were listed among the safest counties for childbirth in Kenya.

Experts attribute the disparities to factors such as poor quality of care, delays in accessing emergency obstetric services, and underlying socio-economic challenges that disproportionately affect women in rural and underserved regions.

Duale urged expectant mothers to begin prenatal care early and maintain regular checkups throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period, noting that such interventions are critical in preventing and managing life-threatening complications.

“Attending postpartum visits can help to prevent and treat severe pregnancy-related complications,” he advised.

While acknowledging progress in some areas, the CS admitted that the overall trend remains concerning, and called for “stronger, sustainable partnerships and collaboration” to improve maternal and neonatal health services across all counties.