United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and M-PESA Foundation have signed a new pact that seeks to improve the health and dignity of women, children and adolescents in Kenya.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will focus on strengthening reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services in communities that need them most.

The partnership aims to:

• Improve access to emergency obstetric and newborn care

• Expand skilled birth attendance

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• Tackle obstetric fistula through prevention and treatment

• Scale up digital health innovations for improved care

This move comes at a time when many mothers and babies in Kenya still face high risks during childbirth particularly in arid and semi-arid areas and urban informal settlements.

While Kenya has made progress in promoting skilled birth attendance, many women still lack access to quality healthcare.

According to recent data:

• 355 mothers die for every 100,000 live births

• 21 newborns die for every 1,000 live births

The MoU between UNFPA and the M-PESA Foundation is a timely step toward closing these gaps and ensuring better outcomes for mothers and babies.

UNFPA Kenya Representative Anders Thomsen said the significant partnership with M-PESA Foundation is seeking to sustainably transform maternal and reproductive health.

“The M-PESA Foundation, a leader in innovation and social responsibility, brings deep commitment and unparalleled expertise,” said Thomsen.

He added: “This collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations to address systemic inequities and ensure that no mother or newborn is left behind, regardless of their geography or social status.”

M-PESA Foundation Chairman Nicholas Ng’ang’a reiterated the foundation’s commitment to healthcare equity, especially for vulnerable communities and to transform lives.

“We are proud to partner with UNFPA to invest in solutions that improve Maternal, Newborn, and Child health,” stated Ng’ang’a.

He added: “We believe that together we can deliver impact where needed most and restore dignity to women and girls.”

Under this agreement, UNFPA and the M-PESA Foundation will:

• Advocate for policy reforms that support women and children’s health

• Mobilize resources and bring in private sector players

• Engage communities to ensure services are people-focused and responsive

• Explore new financing models, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

This collaboration is expected to unlock greater investment and long-term change in Kenya’s health sector.