Relief for mothers as Kirinyaga constructs Sh62m maternity wing

Women in Mwea have received a major boost after the Kirinyaga County Government launched the construction of a modern maternity wing at Mutithi Health Centre, a project expected to significantly improve maternal and newborn healthcare in the region.

The new facility is set to ease the burden on expectant mothers who are forced to travel long distances to access maternity services.

Once complete, the 30-bed maternity wing will be equipped with an operating theater, a newborn unit, antenatal and postnatal wards, and a mother and child welfare clinic, as well as a laboratory and pharmacy.

Tusker rally past Ulinzi to reach FKF Cup semifinals as Nairobi United bow out Football

Red hot Omanyala to orchestrate Kenya's 4x100m charge at World Relays today Athletics

The Sh62.5 million project, supported by the M-Pesa Foundation, is expected to reduce referrals, decongest higher-level hospitals, and ensure that mothers deliver safely and with dignity closer to their homes.

“This project will significantly improve maternal and newborn healthcare services in Mwea West,” Governor Anne Waiguru said. She said the county has made deliberate investments in strengthening health infrastructure and service delivery.

The investments have yielded measurable results since 2017, with antenatal coverage improving from 45 to 63 per cent. Maternal mortality has declined from 88 to 55 deaths per 100,000 live births, while neonatal mortality has dropped from 26 to 10 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Waiguru said skilled birth attendance has risen from 87 to 92 per cent, full immunisation coverage by 12 months has increased from 81 to 91 per cent, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV has reduced from 13 per cent to 6.5 per cent.

The groundbreaking ceremony coincided with a large-scale free medical camp held at Mutithi Primary School, which Governor Waiguru said underscores the county’s commitment to people-centered leadership and impactful partnerships.

“This event reinforces our collective efforts to bring healthcare closer to the people, where it truly belongs,” she said.

The medical camp targeted more than 3,000 residents from Mwea West and surrounding areas.

Services offered included general outpatient consultations with free medicine, family planning and reproductive health services.

There were also breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screenings; eye and dental care, disability assessment and therapy, screening for non-communicable diseases, nutritional counselling, and Social Health Authority (SHA) registrations.

In a major boost to healthcare access, the M-Pesa Foundation offered to sponsor 100 residents with one year of SHA premiums.

The beneficiaries must be among the uninsured patients with serious medical conditions.

Waiguru lauded the foundation for its support, describing it as a strong demonstration of social responsibility and compassion. She also thanked Zuri Health, the main implementing partner, alongside Lions Sight First Eye Hospital and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE), for collaborating with the county government.

The county supported the initiative through the deployment of healthcare workers, provision of medical equipment, ambulance services, medical supplies, and community mobilisation. The governor assured residents that all referral cases arising from the camp would receive proper follow-up within the county health system.

Residents were encouraged to take full advantage of the services offered, while Community Health Promoters were urged to continue sensitising the public on preventive healthcare and early health-seeking behaviour.

Waiguru highlighted other ongoing health projects, including the upgrade of Kerugoya Hospital from Level Four to Level Five, and the upgrade of Kimbimbi and Kianyaga hospitals from Level Three to Level Four.

M-Pesa Foundation Executive Trustee Patricia Ithau said the organisation has invested about Sh500 million in development initiatives across Kirinyaga county.