UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, and Britam Foundation today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen efforts towards reducing preventable maternal and newborn mortality in marginalized and vulnerable communities in Kwale and Nairobi counties.
The collaboration will scale the Lea Salama Programme, a transformative initiative designed to expand access to life-saving care for pregnant women and newborns, particularly in underserved rural areas and urban informal settlements where inequities in health access remain most pronounced.
Despite notable progress in strengthening maternal health services, Kenya continues to face a critical and urgent challenge: an estimated 15 mothers and 92 newborns die each day from preventable causes. The national maternal mortality ratio remains high at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, with counties such as Kwale recording an even higher rate of 431 per 100,000. While Nairobi shows comparatively better outcomes, deep inequalities persist in low-income, densely populated communities, where access to timely, quality care remains limited. Persistent gaps, particularly in emergency obstetric and newborn services, continue to cost lives.
The new partnership directly responds to these challenges by strengthening County health systems while simultaneously increasing demand for essential maternal and newborn health services. Under the initiative, 20 high-volume health facilities across Kwale and Nairobi will be upgraded and equipped to deliver quality maternal and newborn care. Healthcare workers will receive specialized training and mentorship in emergency obstetric and newborn care, complemented by the scale-up of innovative technologies, such as obstetric point-of-care ultrasound, to enhance the early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications.
Community engagement will be a cornerstone of the initiative, with targeted efforts to empower community health promoters through the provision of tools and training.
“This strategic partnership between UNFPA and the Britam Foundation reflects a shared commitment to improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kenya,” said Dr. Pilar de la Corte Molina, UNFPA Deputy Representative to Kenya and Officer in Charge. “The Britam Foundation has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing health equity and community impact, and brings a proven ‘prevention-first’ model that is critical to closing gaps in the quality of maternal and newborn health care.”
“Partnering with UNFPA to advance maternal and newborn health reflects the very heart of Britam Foundation’s purpose of enriching lives, restoring dignity, and investing in healthier futures. When a mother survives childbirth, and a newborn thrives, we are not just saving lives; we are strengthening families, empowering communities, and shaping a more resilient society for generations to come” said Catherine Karita, the Executive Director, Britam Foundation.
The Lea Salama programme is designed as a scalable model with the potential for expansion to other counties, offering a practical blueprint for how public-private partnerships can accelerate progress in maternal and newborn health across Kenya.
