AMSONS Group to build 10 mother-and-child hospitals in Kenya under US$40M health initiative

KENYA—Tanzanian conglomerate AMSONS Group has signed a Letter of Intent with the Kenyan government to launch a Health System Strengthening Initiative aimed at improving maternal and newborn health services.

The partnership focuses on closing critical care gaps while advancing Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda through equitable access to quality healthcare.

The initiative, dubbed “A Promise to Life,” reflects a shared commitment to ensuring safe deliveries and healthy starts for newborns.

It aligns with AMSONS Group’s “Mama na Mtoto Kwanza” vision, which prioritizes mothers and children at the centre of healthcare delivery.

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health and well-being, the initiative reflects a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and improve outcomes for mothers and newborns across Kenya.

 Hospital expansion across key counties

As part of the programme, AMSONS Group will design, build, and equip ten specialised mother-and-child hospitals across nine counties: Nairobi, Kwale, Mombasa, Garissa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, and West Pokot.

In Nairobi County, facilities will be located along Magadi Road and in Roysambu, while additional sites include Samburu (Kwale), Kisumu County Referral Hospital, Huruma Sub-County Hospital in Uasin Gishu, Kabichbich in West Pokot, and locations in Mombasa, Garissa, Embu, and Nakuru.

Each hospital will have a capacity of 250 beds and will cost approximately KSh4.5 billion (USD 35 million).

The facilities will include antenatal units, maternal intensive care units, labour and delivery wards, recovery sections, and operating theatres.

The government will supply additional equipment through the National Equipment Service Programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the Council of Governors.

Phased implementation and service delivery

The USD 40 million corporate social responsibility programme will roll out in phases, starting with three hospitals under Phase I and expanding through 2028.

Once operational, each facility is expected to serve at least 300 patients daily, improving access to essential maternal and newborn services, especially in underserved and high-burden regions.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the project comes at a critical time, noting persistent challenges in maternal and newborn outcomes.

He emphasized that the initiative will help reduce inequalities in access to essential healthcare while strengthening service delivery nationwide.

Strengthening healthcare systems

The programme will integrate into Kenya’s primary healthcare framework, ensuring services begin at the community level and connect seamlessly to higher levels of care.

Level 4 hospitals will enhance county-level secondary care, while a model Level 5 hospital will offer specialised services closer to communities.

Community Health Promoters will support early detection, referrals, and continuity of care, while the Primary Health Care Fund will help ensure affordability for families.

The initiative also aligns with the global Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) effort, supporting coordinated action to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths.