AFIDEP unveils key insights to transform maternal and child health in Kenya

Dr Estella Waiguru from the Division of Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health Ministry of Health (MOH)

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) has released significant findings on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in Kenya from its “Putting Countries Back on the Path to Sustainable Development Goals” (Back-on-Track) project, supported by the UK-based Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).

The report, part of a three-year initiative, assesses Kenya’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which centers on health and well-being. Public health, policy, and development leaders gathered at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Nairobi for the announcement, marking an important step toward advancing MNCH services across Kenya.

Dr. Michael Chipeta, the project lead, emphasized the pivotal role of the Back-on-Track project, describing it as “a data-driven roadmap of essential interventions that can truly transform lives on a large scale.” The findings provide a comprehensive analysis of Kenya’s MNCH services, offering critical insights and recommending actionable steps to strengthen the healthcare system. Dr. Chipeta explained that the project’s primary goal is to prioritize the availability, accessibility, quality, and utilization of MNCH services, thereby addressing existing gaps in Kenya’s healthcare system to achieve SDG 3.

The Back-on-Track project evaluates several key healthcare indicators—including child immunization, antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, and modern contraception use among women and sexually active adolescent girls—utilizing Health Management Information Systems (HMIS), Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Geographic Information System data, and stakeholder input. The findings reveal critical areas for intervention to guarantee accessible, high-quality healthcare services for mothers, newborns, and children across the country.

Despite Kenya’s efforts to expand healthcare services, disparities in access remain, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The report notes that while national immunization coverage has largely remained stable, COVID-19 significantly disrupted healthcare access in some regions. Eight counties, for instance, saw a marked drop in antenatal care visits and skilled birth attendance during the pandemic, emphasizing the urgent need for resilient healthcare infrastructure.

AFIDEP’s findings highlight Kenya’s achievements in meeting SDG 3 targets, such as reductions in neonatal and under-five mortality, skilled birth attendance, and family planning demand satisfied through modern contraceptives. Kenya’s family planning initiatives, for example, have increased the demand for modern contraception to nearly 75 percent by 2022, with several counties exceeding the national average. However, challenges persist in maternal mortality reduction, comprehensive vaccination coverage, and antenatal care.

Dr. Edward Serem, Head of the Division of Reproductive and Maternal Health at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, praised the project for its alignment with Kenya’s health priorities. “The Back-on-Track project provides us with clear evidence on where our focus needs to be—particularly in maternal mortality, child vaccination coverage, and reproductive health services,” Dr. Serem said. “As we move closer to 2030, achieving SDG 3 is urgent, and these insights are invaluable for aligning our health programs with these goals.”

AFIDEP’s research underscores persistent systemic challenges, such as insufficient funding and inconsistent data quality, that hinder progress in MNCH. Although Kenya has increased its MNCH investment, health funding remains below the Abuja Declaration target, with only 9% of the national budget allocated to healthcare—well short of the recommended 15 percent.

Dr. Chipeta called for enhanced data systems and digital tools to improve data collection accuracy, advocating for a sustainable approach that ensures high-quality care for Kenya’s mothers and children.

“Effective health interventions are built on accurate, timely data that reflects realities on the ground,” Dr. Serem added. “This evidence strengthens our ability to enact impactful, life-saving policies.”

AFIDEP’s Back-on-Track project aims to support policy-driven initiatives that address Kenya’s healthcare gaps, from funding limitations to data inconsistencies, and ultimately to bridge disparities in healthcare access. Dr. Chipeta emphasized that the insights gathered will empower public institutions to implement evidence-driven policies, fostering sustainable health improvements.

As Kenya strives to meet SDG 3 by 2030, the Back-on-Track project stands as a foundational pillar, offering a detailed blueprint for tackling the country’s MNCH challenges. By providing a combination of evidence-based insights and recommendations, AFIDEP aims to empower policymakers and health officials to deliver equitable, accessible, and high-quality healthcare for all mothers, newborns, and children in Kenya.