President William Ruto has launched the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026–2028 to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths across Kenya.
At the centre of the initiative is the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), an urgent six-month nationwide campaign that will run until November 2026.
The initiative is targeting 26 high-burden counties by concentrating healthcare resources, personnel, and maternal health services in areas with the highest maternal and newborn mortality rates.
The programme seeks to accelerate measurable interventions that improve healthcare outcomes for mothers and newborns while addressing gaps in emergency care, healthcare access, and frontline maternal services.
Speaking during the launch, President Ruto emphasised that pregnancy and childbirth should not be treated as issues affecting women alone.
He noted that men, families, communities, and institutions all have a responsibility to support maternal health and ensure women receive safe and dignified healthcare during pregnancy and childbirth.
The President warned that maternal and newborn deaths not only devastate families but also weaken communities and hinder national development.
According to President Ruto, protecting mothers and newborns is essential in breaking cycles of poverty and building a healthier and stronger nation.
Increased Funding for Maternal and Newborn Healthcare
As part of the EWENE Acceleration Plan, the Kenyan government announced billions of shillings in additional funding to strengthen maternal and reproductive healthcare services nationwide.
The allocations include:
KSh4 billion through the Social Health Authority (SHA) to cover healthcare premiums for expectant women
KSh1 billion to the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) for life-saving maternal and newborn healthcare commodities
KSh2.5 billion for family planning and reproductive healthcare supplies
The government also plans to recruit and deploy 5,000 nurses and midwives across the country to strengthen frontline healthcare services and improve access to skilled maternal care.
Community Health Workers to Support Maternal Care
The initiative will also rely on approximately 107,000 digitally enabled Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to improve early identification of pregnancy risks, provide maternal health education, and connect expectant mothers to skilled healthcare providers.
Health officials say community-based interventions are critical in reducing delays in seeking and accessing emergency obstetric care.
Key Areas of Focus Under the Rapid Results Initiative
The Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative focuses on addressing the major causes of maternal and newborn deaths through:
Improved Emergency Referrals
Strengthening emergency transport and referral systems to reduce delays in accessing critical maternal healthcare.
Skilled Birth Attendance
Increasing access to trained healthcare workers, including nurses, midwives, and emergency obstetric specialists.
Clinical Training and Emergency Response
Healthcare facilities will establish simulation centres to improve clinical management of high-risk pregnancy complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and pre-eclampsia.
Data-Driven Accountability
The Ministry of Health is scaling up maternal and perinatal death surveillance systems using a “no name, no blame, no shame” approach aimed at improving healthcare quality and accountability.
Maternal and Newborn Deaths Remain a Public Health Challenge
Health experts continue to warn that maternal and newborn deaths remain a major public health concern in Kenya, especially in rural and underserved communities where access to quality healthcare services remains limited.
The initiative aims to address the three major delays associated with maternal mortality:
Delays in seeking healthcare
Delays in reaching healthcare facilities
Delays in receiving adequate medical care
Maternal Healthcare and National Development
Stakeholders note that improving maternal and newborn healthcare contributes to:
Healthier families and communities
Reduced poverty levels
Better child survival rates
Increased economic productivity
Stronger healthcare systems
The government’s renewed investment reflects growing national efforts to ensure every mother and newborn receives safe, affordable, and quality healthcare.
The launch of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026–2028 marks a major step in Kenya’s efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
With increased healthcare funding, expanded frontline staffing, strengthened emergency response systems, and community-based maternal health interventions, Kenya aims to improve maternal healthcare outcomes and protect the lives of mothers and newborns across the country.
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