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By Jane Mugambi
Kirinyaga County: Kirinyaga County has recorded a major improvement in newborn survival, with neonatal mortality dropping from 26 deaths per 1,000 live births to 10 — well below the national average of 21 and the global benchmark of 17.2.
County health officials attribute the gains to the full implementation of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), which enforces exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, alongside strong maternal and newborn care policies.
Speaking during a World Breastfeeding Week awareness walk in Kerugoya town, Director of Public Health Dr. Peter Irungu described breast milk as a child’s “first vaccine,” stressing its role in boosting immunity and protecting infants from disease from birth.
“Breastfeeding strengthens immunity, supports healthy growth and gives children the best possible start in life,” Dr. Irungu said, while urging parents to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour after delivery and continue up to two years alongside complementary feeding.
The event came just days after Kirinyaga was recognised as the best-performing county in maternal and child healthcare during the launch of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative at Statehouse.
Governor Anne Waiguru said maternal mortality has dropped from 88 to 55 deaths per 100,000 live births — far below the national average of 355. She added that deliveries by skilled attendants have risen from 87% to 92%, while immunisation coverage now stands at 91%, surpassing both the national average (80%) and the global target (85%).
Antenatal care coverage, she noted, has climbed from 45% to 63%, with the county targeting the global goal of 87%.
“Sustained investments in quality healthcare are saving lives and giving every child a healthier start,” Waiguru said.
County Executive for Gender and Youth Affairs Millicent Ngari called on fathers and communities to support breastfeeding mothers, saying child-rearing is a shared responsibility.
“We encourage mothers to breastfeed, but we equally ask fathers to support them. When children receive proper care from birth, we build healthier families and stronger communities,” she said.
County Nutrition Officer Dennis Murimi advised mothers to eat balanced diets and drink enough fluids during breastfeeding, while seeking professional help when difficulties arise.
“No mother should struggle alone,” he said, adding that nutritionists and health workers remain available across all county facilities to offer counselling on breastfeeding techniques and maternal nutrition.
Specialised care for premature babies
At Kerugoya County Referral Hospital’s Newborn Unit, nurse Denis Maina said health workers are supporting premature and low-birth-weight babies through Kangaroo Mother Care and exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers receive hands-on training in attachment, milk expression and feeding techniques to ensure their babies get adequate nutrition.
“Breast milk provides all the nutrients babies need, boosts immunity and strengthens the bond between mother and child,” Maina said.
The impact of these interventions was visible in the story of Nancy Gladys, a mother whose baby was born at just 27 weeks, weighing only 840 grammes. After weeks of specialised care, the infant now weighs 1.79 kilogrammes and is almost ready for discharge.
“I have received so much help from the doctors and nurses. The Kangaroo Mother Care programme has helped me a lot, and my baby is almost ready to go home,” Gladys said.
The World Breastfeeding Week events, held under the theme “Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works,” brought together health workers, Community Health Promoters and residents in a show of support for maternal and child health.
With continued investment in infrastructure, skilled personnel and community-based interventions, Kirinyaga is positioning itself as a model for what sustained, focused healthcare investment can achieve — one mother and child at a time.
