Women Engaged in Development has trained 15 bodaboda riders in Makueni County to play a key role in maternal health care under the Okoa Mama na Mtoto initiative.
The riders, who serve as chairpersons from the six constituencies, were equipped to act as trainers on maternal, newborn, and adolescent health across the county. They will cascade the knowledge to their peers, with the initiative aiming to improve survival rates for mothers, newborns, and adolescent girls who face early pregnancies.
“But my question has been, where are the men when women are pregnant? We have started a social innovation program that looks at bodaboda operators to be involved in maternal care,” said Prof. Ann Beatrice Kehara, Executive Director of Women Engaged in Development, during the launch of the initiative at Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, Makueni Subcounty, on Thursday.
She emphasized that through this continuum of care, the county hopes to achieve better survival outcomes for mothers and babies, while enabling young girls to continue schooling after early pregnancies.
Prof. Kehara noted that many expectant mothers in rural areas depend on bodaboda as the most accessible and affordable means of transport during emergencies. She highlighted the need to sensitize riders so they can be empowered to ensure women get to health facilities on time.
“Makueni is full of hills and valleys, and often even an ambulance cannot reach where expectant mothers are. With this bridging of having bodaboda with us, many mothers will be able to access health facilities quickly,” she explained.
She further disclosed that the primary cause of maternal deaths is excessive bleeding after childbirth and stressed the need to establish a cohort of men who can donate blood to women in need.
The initiative is a joint effort between the Department of Health and Women Engaged in Development.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, addressing the same forum, said it was vital to sensitize bodaboda riders as they are often relied upon by expectant mothers. He added that their involvement will help reduce maternal and child mortality in the county.
“Research has shown that men never assist expectant mothers. The training today of bodaboda riders will ensure they get involved in maternal health since pregnant mothers use boda boda to get to hospital,” said Governor Mutula.
by Patrick Nyakundi
