Across Kenya, maternal health remains one of the most urgent issues for families, especially in rural and underserved regions. Expectant mothers often endure long journeys, inadequate facilities, or unsafe conditions just to access essential care. To change this, the Safaricom Foundation, working in close partnership with County Governments, is building and equipping maternity wings that are saving lives and restoring dignity to childbirth.
One key feature of the Safaricom Foundation’s approach is that their projects are grounded in research. Before choosing where to build a maternity wing, the Foundation undertakes critical studies: tracking maternal and newborn mortality, mapping out regions with high need, and consulting local health data. This ensures resources are allocated where they can have the greatest impact.
Another pillar of the model is formalised cooperation. Each maternity wing project is based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the relevant County Government. The MOU lays out responsibilities clearly: Safaricom Foundation provides funding, design, and construction; the County Government is expected to provide land, to equip the facility once construction is complete (beds, medical equipment, staff), and to maintain operations thereafter. This partnership ensures that new maternity wings are not merely built, but are ready to serve the community over the long term.
So far, several counties have already benefitted from this model. In Baringo County, the Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital now boasts a new maternity wing, while in Siaya County, the Tingare Health Centre has been upgraded with a modern maternity unit. Vihiga County is home to a new maternity and newborn unit at the County Referral Hospital, and in Embu County, the Kianjakoma Health Centre has received a fully equipped maternity wing.
In Homa Bay County, the Ndhiwa Sub-County Hospital maternity wing was built under the Uzazi Salama programme with AMREF and PharmAccess, while Busia County is benefitting from the Nasewa Sub-County integrated mother and newborn unit. Kiambu County has also seen improvements through the Rironi Health Centre maternal health facility, and closer to home, Isiolo County is set to unveil its soon-to-be completed maternity wing, a shining example of partnership between the Isiolo County Government and the Safaricom Foundation.
This upcoming maternity wing in Isiolo is not the first time Safaricom Foundation has invested in healthcare for the county. Through its Ndoto Zetu initiative, the Foundation donated medical equipment worth KES 400,000 to Oldonyiro Health Centre, allowing the facility to admit and treat patients for the first time.
In addition, Safaricom has been a key enabler in Isiolo’s telemedicine programme, which links county facilities with Kenyatta National Hospital to provide specialised healthcare to residents who would otherwise have to travel long distances. These initiatives, together with the new maternity wing, paint a clear picture of Safaricom Foundation’s consistent commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Isiolo.
When the new maternity wing was launched in Tharaka Nithi County, Governor Muthomi Njuki made remarks that capture the spirit of this collaboration. He emphasised that this project was not just about building structures, but about saving lives and building a healthier future for mothers and children. He noted, “This project shows what is possible when County Government and private foundations share a vision, that no mother should be denied safe delivery because of distance or lack of facilities.”
By combining research, strong agreements (MOUs), and shared responsibility, these partnerships between the Safaricom Foundation and County Governments are not just building maternity wings, they are building hope, saving lives, and establishing lasting improvements in maternal healthcare.
