Ruto Orders Real-Time Reporting of Maternal and Child Deaths to Tackle Kenya’s High Mortality Rates
President William Ruto has mandated that all hospitals, both public and private, report every maternal and child death in real time to the Digital Health Authority (DHA), in a move he described as vital for ending preventable fatalities in Kenyan health facilities.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, November 19, comes amid growing concern over persistently high maternal and infant mortality rates, despite ongoing government efforts to strengthen the health system.
President Ruto emphasised that the absence of timely, reliable data has allowed some facilities to conceal deaths, undermining national planning and life-saving interventions.
“Maternal and newborn mortalities remain unacceptably high. No woman should die while giving birth, and no baby should be lost to preventable causes,” Ruto said. “The Ministry of Health is under firm instruction to deliver rapid, measurable reductions through real-time reporting of every case.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), maternal mortality refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days after it ends due to pregnancy-related complications. Most of these deaths, often linked to poor-quality care, inadequate staffing, or shortages of essential medical supplies, are preventable.
Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio currently stands at 355 deaths per 100,000 live births—equivalent to roughly 6,000 women dying each year—according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). Infant mortality remains high at 32 deaths per 1,000 live births, driven by factors including maternal age, birth size, education level, place of delivery, and antenatal care attendance.
“We cannot be losing upwards of 300 in 100,000 while the benchmark is 70,” the President added, stressing that the DHA will ensure full compliance from all health facilities.
In addition, Ruto directed the Ministry of Health to conduct a nationwide survey of county-level mortality trends to identify the worst-affected areas. The assessment is expected to be completed by March 2026 and will guide targeted interventions to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
During the event, the WHO donated ambulances and emergency medical supplies to strengthen national referral hospitals and emergency response centres. The support aims to improve patient transport, access to oxygen, and emergency care, with priority given to high-burden counties such as Tana River, Garissa, Samburu, Marsabit, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
Ruto also noted that international partners have increasingly questioned Kenya’s high mortality rates. “I was very embarrassed when I was confronted in New York by a good friend of Kenya who asked me, ‘How is it acceptable that upwards of 300 mothers and children die in our facilities?’” he said. “This is something that has bothered me very much.”
The government expects that stricter reporting, strengthened emergency care, and targeted investments will significantly reduce preventable maternal and child deaths across the country.
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Ruto Orders Real-Time Reporting of Maternal and Child Deaths to Tackle Kenya’s High Mortality Rates