New data from the Kenya Quality Ecosystem (KQE) project shows a significant improvement in maternal and newborn survival rates across Mombasa, Kisii, and Makueni counties, marking a major milestone in efforts to strengthen county health systems.
KQE is a partnership between Jacaranda Health, Health Systems Insight, and the three county governments. Through targeted investments in data systems and mentorship, the initiative has contributed to a 34 per cent drop in maternal mortality in Kisii over the past three years.
Launched in 2023, the project focuses on translating health data into immediate clinical action.
Key milestones highlighted during a cross-county learning exchange in Mombasa include a reduction in Kisii County’s Facility Maternal Mortality Ratio from 159 to 104 per 100,000 live births, a 34.5 per cent decline following the adoption of emergency obstetric response tools and other strategic investments.
The KQE project strengthens health systems by connecting mothers, healthcare workers, and health leaders through three core tools developed by Jacaranda Health, alongside health financing technical advisory support from Health Systems Insight.
The initiative provides mothers with free, life-saving health advice through PROMPTS, an AI-enabled SMS service that helps them identify danger signs early and connect to appropriate care.
At the facility level, the Mentors programme equips healthcare workers with practical skills to manage obstetric emergencies and provide quality newborn care. This is supported by PULSE, a digital dashboard that gives county leaders real-time data to track facility readiness and ensure funds are directed where they are most needed to save lives.
Jacaranda Health Co-Executive Director Cynthia Kahumbura said data is the strongest tool for saving lives, but it only works when embedded within the government systems that mothers already trust.
“By sharing strategy and data, we are building a sustainable foundation for maternal health in Kenya,” she said.
Kisii County Director of Health Richard Okware said the county has fully embraced the project to improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes by reducing maternal deaths and complications.
“As recently as 2025, Kisii County reduced maternal deaths from 29 the previous year to 22 in 2025. Our main referral facility, Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (KTRH), which receives mothers from neighbouring counties, recorded zero maternal deaths in the last quarter of 2025, and we expect to sustain that this year,” said Dr Okware.
Health Systems Insight Country Director Felix Murira noted that the project is also helping the three counties strengthen their health financing planning processes.
“When developing their annual budgets, we emphasise the use of data to help them allocate resources more effectively for maternal and neonatal health services. We have also supported them in improving participation in social health insurance programmes in Kenya, particularly under the Social Health Authority,” said Murira.
He added that the three counties have made notable progress in ensuring their facilities participate in social health insurance schemes, generating revenue that can be reinvested to improve maternal and child health services.
Murira further said they have worked closely with Makueni County on innovations such as results-based financing, which targets specific maternal health services and incentivises improved quality outcomes.
“We intend to scale these innovations, as they have demonstrated positive results in Mombasa and Kisii counties as well.”
By Sadik Hassan
