Women in Mwea West Constituency are set to receive quality maternal and newborn healthcare services once an ultra-modern maternity wing at Mutithi Health Centre in Kirinyaga County is completed.
The project, valued at Sh62.5 million and being funded by the M-Pesa Foundation, was launched over the weekend with Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and M-Pesa Foundation Trustee Patricia Ithau presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony.
The facility is expected to transform access to and delivery of maternal health services in the region once the project is completed in about nine months.
The 50-bed maternity wing will be equipped with an operating theatre, perinatal and newborn units, antenatal and postnatal wards, and a mother and child welfare clinic, as well as a laboratory and pharmacy.
The facility will significantly reduce referrals to higher-level hospitals such as Kimbimbi and ease congestion in surrounding health facilities, allowing expectant mothers to deliver safely and with dignity closer to home.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Waiguru said the project aligns with the county’s long-term investment in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.
“This project will go a long way in improving maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes in Mwea West. Our focus as a county government is to ensure healthcare services are accessible, affordable, and closer to the people,” Waiguru said.
M-Pesa Foundation Trustee Patricia Ithau reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to support Kirinyaga County, revealing that it has invested over Sh250 million in the county through projects in healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
She noted that the Mutithi maternity wing alone accounts for Sh62 million, describing it as a critical investment in saving lives and improving maternal health.
“We are proud to partner with the County Government of Kirinyaga in projects that deliver real and lasting impact. This maternity wing will ensure mothers and newborns receive quality care in a safe and well-equipped facility,” Ithau said, adding that the Foundation will continue supporting development initiatives in the county.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held alongside a large-scale free medical camp at Mutithi Primary School, which attracted over 3,000 residents from Mwea West and neighbouring areas.
The medical camp offered a wide range of services, including general outpatient consultations with free medicine, family planning and reproductive health services, screening for breast, cervical and prostate cancer, eye and dental care, disability assessment and therapy, non-communicable disease screening, nutritional counselling, and registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Governor Waiguru said the medical camp reflects the county’s commitment to people-centred leadership and partnerships that deliver tangible benefits to residents.
“This initiative reinforces our collective efforts to bring healthcare closer to the people, where it truly belongs,” she said.
The Governor thanked Zuri Health, the main implementing partner, as well as Lions Sight First Eye Hospital and the Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) for working with the county government to make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable.
“The County Government of Kirinyaga supported the initiative through deployment of healthcare workers, provision of medical equipment and medical supplies, ambulance services, and community mobilisation,” she said.
Governor Waiguru assured residents that all referral cases identified during the medical camp will receive proper follow-up within the county health system.
Residents were encouraged to take advantage of preventive healthcare services, while Community Health Promoters were urged to continue sensitising the public on early health-seeking behaviour.
Governor Waiguru also highlighted ongoing health sector projects across the county, including the upgrading of Kerugoya Hospital from Level Four to Level Five and the upgrading of Kimbimbi and Kianyaga hospitals from Level Three to Level Four, aimed at expanding access to specialised healthcare services.
She thanked the people of Kirinyaga for their continued support and cooperation, noting that partnerships between the county government, development partners, and the community remain key to achieving sustainable development.
By David Wandeto
