NAIROBI, Kenya – Governors are now demanding that the National Government, acting through the Ministry of Health, quickly reconsider its mandate to fund delivery dispensaries, citing a recent rise in maternal mortality as a result.
The county bosses claim that a significant drop in the number of pregnant women seeking expert births has resulted from the policy prohibiting level 2 hospitals from performing deliveries, which has contributed to deaths.
The governors spoke today, Thursday, November 13, 2025, during the launch of the Inter-County Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) Initiative — a transformative step towards ending preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
To lower mother and child mortality, considerable cooperation between the devolved entities is required, according to data from a recently released dashboard that connects data from all 47 counties on maternal and perinatal death surveillance response (MPDSR).
“Every maternal and newborn death is one too many. Through partnership, innovation, and shared responsibility, we can save lives and build a healthier Kenya,” said Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.
Since the start of the year, around 10,000 babies have passed away before reaching their full potential.
Additionally, 924 women have died during childbirth or due to complications, according to data from the dashboard.
How the MPDSR Initiative came to be
The initiative, created by the Council of Governors in collaboration with key health sector development partners, was unveiled today in Nairobi. It provides real-time MPDSR data and enables counties to share successes and challenges to enhance overall well-being.
The national government’s order prohibiting level 2 facilities from making deliveries must be revoked, according to governors.
Since the start of the year, the number of infant deaths has risen from around 10,000 to 21,294 perinatal deaths. Since January, these babies have passed away before reaching their full potential. Additionally, 924 women have died during childbirth or due to complications, according to data from the dashboard.
“MPDSR represents our collective resolve to move beyond boundaries and unite in purpose to protect mothers and newborns in all 47 counties,” explained Nandi Governo Stephen Sang.
How the number of stillbirths decreased
The national government’s order prohibiting level 2 facilities from making deliveries must be revoked, according to governors.
This directive has this far deprived the facilities of about Sh 2.5 billion from SHA and brought down the number of women seeking skilled deliveries in hospitals, resulting in home births.
As a result, the decision to limit maternal care in L2 facilities runs the risk of further undoing the progress made in skilled birth delivery; in the most recent fiscal year, for instance, skilled birth deliveries fell from 89% to 69% in Kisumu and from 100% to 80% in Nairobi.
The idea that the federal and local governments are at odds over health issues has also been refuted by the Council of Governors, which maintains that health is a devolved duty.
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