President William Ruto has announced a major Sh7.5 billion boost to maternal and newborn healthcare, including the recruitment of 5,000 nurses and midwives, in what could become one of the biggest healthcare interventions of his administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the launch of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan 2026-2028, Ruto unveiled a raft of measures aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths across the country.
The President said the National Treasury will inject an additional Sh4 billion into the Social Health Authority (SHA) to cover health insurance premiums for pregnant women, ensuring expectant mothers can access treatment without financial barriers.
In another major intervention, the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) will receive Sh1 billion for the purchase of life-saving maternal and newborn health commodities, while a further Sh2.5 billion has been set aside for family planning supplies.
Ruto also announced the recruitment and deployment of 5,000 nurses and midwives nationwide, a move expected to ease staffing shortages that have continued to affect public health facilities across the country.
The announcement comes as Kenya intensifies efforts to cut maternal and newborn deaths, which remain a major challenge despite years of investment in the health sector. Government data shows hundreds of women continue to die annually from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications, while thousands of newborns fail to survive their first month of life.
At the centre of the new plan is a six-month Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative running until November 2026. The programme is expected to focus on counties with the highest burden of maternal and infant deaths, with the government targeting measurable improvements within the period.
The latest commitment signals a renewed push by the Kenya Kwanza administration to improve access to healthcare while strengthening SHA implementation and expanding frontline health services across the country.
“Our goal is simple; no woman should lose her life while giving life and no newborn should die from preventable causes,” Ruto said.
