Ali AwDoll
Garissa, Kenya.
As most of Kenya celebrates a steady decline in maternal deaths, mothers in Garissa County are still dying in childbirth, more than anywhere else in the country.
A new report by the Ministry of Health reveals that Garissa recorded the highest facility-based maternal mortality ratio (MMR) between January and July 2025, even as the national average dropped from 594 to 530 deaths per 100,000 live births. The figures expose deep-rooted cultural and systemic challenges that continue to cost lives in the northeastern region.
In stark contrast, Nyandarua County recorded the lowest maternal mortality rates, underscoring Kenya’s persistent inequalities in access to quality healthcare.
According to the report, postpartum hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal deaths, accounting for roughly 60% of all fatalities. More than 80% of these deaths are linked to poor quality of care — a grim reminder that better infrastructure alone isn’t enough to save lives.
A senior official from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU), who requested anonymity, praised Garissa’s health department for ongoing efforts but pointed to deep-seated social factors as the main obstacle.
“By the time a mother is referred to a hospital, family consultations often take too long. In emergencies requiring cesarean sections, families frequently hesitate to give consent, delaying critical interventions,” said the official.
The official urged the county to intensify community education campaigns, particularly in rural areas, to help families make faster and more informed medical decisions.
Cultural Barriers and Mistrust
For many residents, childbirth decisions remain guided by tradition and mistrust in public health facilities.
“Many families still depend on traditional birth attendants or reject cesarean operations due to mistrust in the public health system. That hesitation often costs lives,” said Aden Awle, a resident of Garissa.
Hassan Geley, the MCA for Baraki Ward, echoed those concerns.
“Pregnant mothers are often referred to Garissa Referral Hospital after three days of complications. Even then, families hesitate to approve cesarean operations,” said Geley.
Among those who have lived through the heartbreak is Fatuma Ibrahim, a 33-year-old mother from Hulugho, the furthest end of Garissa County.
“The health center near us can’t perform cesarean operations,” Fatuma said.
“I had lost a lot of blood before the ambulance even arrived. By the time we reached Garissa, my baby was gone,” she added.
Her story captures the silent tragedy faced by mothers in remote areas, where distance, delays, and limited medical capacity turn childbirth into a gamble between life and death.
Despite the grim outlook, local advocates say there is hope if education is prioritized.
“When families understand the value of antenatal care and skilled birth attendance, lives are saved. We must empower men and traditional birth attendants to support safe delivery practices so that no mother dies giving life,” said Abdikadir Jillo, a resident of Garissa town.
The KMPDU official agreed, noting that awareness must extend beyond hospital walls.
“We need to bring knowledge to the periphery: to villages, households, and community gatherings. Empowering families with trust in modern healthcare is key,” said the official.
Government Action and Accountability
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, a native of Garissa, moved swiftly after social media reports earlier this year alleged negligence among local healthcare workers. He dispatched an audit team to investigate the claims shortly after assuming office.
The audit, conducted before the release of the latest Ministry report, found no evidence of negligence. Instead, it identified cultural barriers, delayed decision-making, and weaknesses within the devolved health system as the major contributors to the county’s crisis.
“The audit revealed that systemic issues, combined with community practices, are driving the high maternal mortality rates,” stated the report.
Speaking to Frontier Eye, CS Duale reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to reversing the trend.
“As a ministry, we are prioritizing targeted interventions to address these challenges, with a strong focus on improving infrastructure and community engagement,” said Duale.
Fardosa Osman, former County First Lady and CEO of Fountain of Hope — an organization that focuses on reducing postpartum mortality and promoting child spacing, described the grim statistics as deeply worrying.
“These numbers are a wake-up call. Too many mothers are dying from preventable causes. We need coordinated, multi-sectoral interventions that bring together the county government, health professionals, religious leaders, and communities to reverse this trend,” she said.
Fardosa emphasized the need for sustained investment in maternal healthcare, improved access to emergency obstetric services, and community sensitization to change cultural attitudes that discourage hospital deliveries.
A National Picture
Outside Garissa, counties such as Mombasa, Isiolo, Lamu, and Nyeri also reported high maternal mortality ratios, though none matched Garissa’s severity.
Nationally, the gradual decline in deaths reflects progress under Kenya’s devolved health system, with counties investing more in maternity care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency response. However, the sharp disparities reveal that equity, not just efficiency, must guide Kenya’s next phase of maternal health reforms.
A Call to Action
The Ministry of Health’s October 2025 report doubles as both a warning and a roadmap. Reducing maternal deaths in Garissa will require a multi-pronged approach — improving healthcare quality, rebuilding public trust, and promoting culturally sensitive maternal education.
“No mother should die while giving life,” said Jillo.
With stronger coordination between government, health professionals, and local communities, Garissa has a chance to rewrite its maternal health story and lead Kenya in saving mothers and newborns
2 comments
Well done
Well written piece that is grounded on data and solutions