Ministry of Health signs US$80M deal with the Beginnings Fund for maternal care

KENYA—Kenya has strengthened efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths after the Ministry of Health and the Beginnings Fund signed a Cooperation Framework to advance equitable, high-quality maternal and newborn healthcare through nationally led reforms.

The partnership will unlock KSh10.4 billion (US$80 million) over the next five years to accelerate implementation of Kenya’s Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan and support the country’s 90-90-80-80 maternal and newborn health targets.

The programme will target 21 counties with a high burden of maternal and newborn deaths and nearly 200 high-volume health facilities.

By 2030, the interventions are expected to benefit almost six million women and newborns.

The Beginnings Fund, alongside the Gates Foundation, the Government of the United Arab Emirates and other global partners, will support the initiative.

The investment will strengthen efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths while helping Kenya build a more resilient and sustainable health system.

Strengthening maternal and newborn care

The partnership will complement ongoing government reforms, including the Maternal and Newborn Health Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), launched by President William Ruto under the Taifa Care programme.

The programme will strengthen health sector leadership, improve the quality of maternal and newborn care, promote innovation, support sustainable financing and reinforce accountability.

These measures will target maternal deaths, newborn mortality and stillbirths while improving the overall delivery of health services.

The investment will also expand access to lifesaving medicines, essential commodities and medical technologies.

In addition, it will support improvements to maternity and newborn facilities, expand the health workforce, strengthen emergency referral systems and accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions.

Furthermore, the programme will strengthen health information systems and support Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage agenda.

It will also align development partner investments with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Government calls for coordinated action

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the Ministry is promoting a country-led approach to transforming the health sector.

He said development partnerships should move away from fragmented projects towards coordinated investments that strengthen government systems and deliver sustainable health outcomes.

Duale emphasized that successful implementation will require close collaboration between the national government, county governments and development partners.

He also commended the Beginnings Fund for aligning its investment with Kenya’s national health priorities.

He called for a unified approach based on one plan, one budget and one accountability framework to improve transparency, efficiency and collective responsibility.

The Cooperation Framework was signed in the presence of Principal Secretary for Medical Services Ouma Oluga, Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth, Council of Governors Chief Executive Officer Mary Mwiti and Beginnings Fund Chief Executive Officer Alice Kang’ethe.

Other attendees included World Health Organization Country Representative Neema Kimambo, Director of Family Health Bashir Issak, county government representatives, development partners, implementing agencies and senior Ministry of Health officials.