KISUMU, Sept 2026 -Efforts to reduce neonatal mortality have received a major boost after the Ushiriki Wema Foundation donated about 20 state-of-the-art neonatal incubators to six counties through its Okoa Malaika Program.
The beneficiary counties in Phase 9 are Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori and Kisumu, with the handover held at Lumumba Sub-County Hospital. The foundation has now reached 32 counties.
The program aims to strengthen newborn care for premature and critically ill infants. National statistics show neonatal deaths have reduced from 67,000 to 37,000 live births, with the current rate at 21 deaths per 1,000 live births. The foundation targets to bring it below 1,000.
Speaking during the handover, foundation founder and chair Tessie Musalia Mudavadi, spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, said Okoa Malaika is a preterm mitigation program implemented in partnership with the Mudavadi Memorial Trust Fund, established in 1997, to support hospitals with essential equipment.
“Behind every preterm baby fighting for life is a mother and family praying their child will survive. Health workers may have the knowledge and commitment to save a life but lack the equipment. It is this gap that leads to preventable newborn deaths,” she said.
She said the incubators are more than equipment, they offer protection and a chance of survival for babies born too soon.
Tessie said the initiative aligns with the Every Woman, Every Newborn, Everywhere (EWENE) agenda launched by President William Ruto, which targets 90% attendance at least four antenatal visits, 90% skilled deliveries, 80% postnatal care within two days and 80% newborn care within two hours.
“Every woman, every newborn, everywhere should have access to quality lifesaving care,” she said, noting that her foundation worked with the Ministry of Health to develop a national awareness and acceleration plan and is now supporting its translation into county-specific priorities.
She called on beneficiary counties to ensure proper installation and maintenance so the equipment remains functional for years, adding that government, civil society and development partners must work together to place mothers and newborns at the centre of decisions.
Kisumu County First Lady Dorothy Nyong’o, representing Governor Anyang Nyong’o, thanked the foundation and said the county is committed to bringing neonatal deaths to zero.
“We have been given the statistics and we are committed to work with partners to bring the numbers down. I would like to eradicate it completely. We don’t want to lose any baby,” she said, calling for a comprehensive approach including antenatal and postnatal care, male involvement, and HPV vaccination for girls at age 10 to prevent cervical cancer.
Migori First Lady Agnes Ochillo said the donation is a game changer in preserving newborn lives.
Ushiriki Wema Brand Ambassador Njoki Mambo said demand for incubators remains high as many county hospitals handle high deliveries yet have fewer than 10 to 20 incubators. The foundation will continue mobilizing donors to replenish facilities.
Kisumu County Health CECM representative Dr. Don Ogola Sunday said the initiative will improve neonatal services and called for more investment in equipment, trained newborn care personnel, infrastructure and health financing through the Social Health Authority.
A beneficiary mother, Emma Owuor, who delivered preterm babies at 31 weeks weighing 1.3kg and at 28 weeks weighing 1.5kg, thanked health workers for saving her children, now aged two. A Kisumu resident, Lynn Atieno, recalls how the incubators saved his sons’ lives, but it wasn’t an easy experience.
The event was also attended by Ahadi Kenya Director Mr Maathai, Kisumu Central Deputy County Commissioner Mr Cheruiyot and other county officials.
