Narok: Mrs. Tessie Mudavadi, wife of Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has donated eight neonatal incubators through her infant pre-term aid programme, Okoa Malaika, to medical facilities in Narok, Kajiado, Kericho, and Bomet Counties. She presented the incubators to leaders, including Narok Central Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Mwangome, Narok Deputy Governor Koech Tamalinye, Health County Executive Committee Members, and First Ladies from the four counties at the Narok County Referral Hospital.
According to Kenya News Agency, Okoa Malaika is an infant pre-term mitigation programme that distributes neonatal equipment across Kenya to ensure the well-being of mothers and children. Mrs. Mudavadi stated that the programme, implemented under the office of the Spouse to the Prime Cabinet Secretary with support from partners such as the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation and Ushiriki Wema, has reached more than 20 counties so far. The initiative is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to reducing neonatal mortality and providing every newborn in Kenya with a healthier start to life by supporting hospitals with essential neonatal equipment.
In her speech, Mrs. Mudavadi highlighted the neonatal mortality rate in Kenya, which she noted is 22 deaths per 1,000 live births, with many deaths attributed to preterm births. She discussed the challenges families face in accessing specialized neonatal care, including limited healthcare facilities, resource constraints, and geographical barriers. She emphasized that, with the donation of these incubators, Okoa Malaika is taking a crucial step towards ensuring that pre-term infants receive necessary care.
Mrs. Mudavadi also urged Kenyans to support the Social Health Authority (SHA) to achieve Universal Health Coverage. She noted that the Okoa Malaika program aligns with government efforts to reduce infant mortality rates by ensuring a robust health sector under universal healthcare coverage. Additionally, she advised local communities to avoid harmful customary practices, such as early pregnancies, that could hinder progress.
Narok Governor Patrick Keturet Ole Ntutu, in a speech read by his Deputy, praised Mrs. Mudavadi for her donation and highlighted the need for special care for pre-term infants. He stressed the seriousness of preterm births and the necessity of adequate care to enable premature children to live healthy lives. Ole Ntutu remarked that investment in infant incubators not only saves newborn lives but also protects mothers from preventable grief and strengthens women’s mental health.
Deputy County Commissioner Mwangome expressed concern over rising cases of defilement, incest, female genital mutilation, and early pregnancies in the Sub-County. He warned against settling defilement cases through informal ‘Kangaroo’ courts, which compromise justice and protect perpetrators. Mwangome vowed that the government would deal harshly with offenders and warned parents against subjecting their daughters to outlawed cultural practices like FGM, emphasizing the administration’s vigilance to protect girls’ health, education, and future.
