From Law to Lives Saved: How the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Bill Can Deliver Universal Health Coverage
By Hon. Dr James Nyikal, National Assembly Health Committee Chairperson; Dr. Margaret Lubaale, Executive Director of Health NGO Network (HENNET); Prof Kenya breaking news | Kenya news today |..
✨ Key Highlights
Kenya is pushing for the passage of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Bill, 2023, to guarantee essential health services and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This legislation aims to address the persistently high maternal and child mortality rates despite increased investment and gradual gains.
- Kenya's maternal mortality rate remains among the highest in East Africa, exceeding those of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania, with a less than two percent drop between 2014 and 2019.
- The MNCH Bill, 2023, proposed by Sen. Beatrice Akinyi Ogolla, seeks to establish a clear legal framework defining the responsibilities of both national and county governments in providing accessible, equitable, and high-quality MNCH services.
- The bill mandates continuous monitoring, improved financing at the county level, and strengthened accountability, transforming "health for all" into a binding national commitment.
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Health Sector Sees Legislative Push, New Project, and Suspension of $1.6bn US Deal - December 2025
Kenya is pushing for the passage of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Bill, 2023, to guarantee essential health services and accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This legislation is aimed at addressing persistently high maternal and child mortality rates. In a separate development, the High Court of Kenya has temporarily suspended the implementation of a $1.6bn Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework, citing data privacy concerns. Concurrently, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) is seeking a private investor to develop an ultra-modern medical training complex for its College of Health Sciences. This project is planned to be executed through a Design-Build-Finance-Maintain-Transfer (DBFMT) public-private partnership.
