First Lady Rachel Ruto Urges Swift Measures to Slash Maternal and Newborn Deaths in Kenya
First Lady Rachel Ruto calls for urgent, coordinated efforts to reduce Kenya’s high maternal and newborn mortality rates during the Kenya Health Summit.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 19, 2026
2 min read
During the second day of the Kenya Health Summit at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, First Lady Rachel Ruto emphasized the urgent need to address Kenya’s alarming maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Kenya currently faces approximately 355 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births and about 21 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births. Rachel Ruto stressed that these deaths are avoidable and called for transforming health policies and investments into life-saving services.
Key Elements for Reducing Mortality
- Leadership: Strengthening governance and accountability across all stakeholders.
- Investment: Increasing funding for essential health commodities and healthcare infrastructure.
- Skilled Workforce: Recruiting and deploying qualified nurses and midwives.
- Reliable Equipment and Supplies: Ensuring availability of necessary medical tools and family planning resources.
- Effective Referral Systems: Establishing functional patient transfer mechanisms to prevent delays.
She underscored that behind every statistic is a mother and child whose loss deeply impacts families and communities. The First Lady called for equitable access to healthcare services regardless of financial status or location.
Kenya’s ongoing Universal Health Coverage reforms aim to expand affordable healthcare access, complementing government efforts to curb maternal and newborn deaths. Rachel Ruto urged all partners, including government agencies, healthcare workers, and development organizations, to collaborate closely to turn commitments into tangible outcomes.
