Kenya has launched an ambitious five-year Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) Investment Case (2025/26–2029/30), a comprehensive Sh 460 billion roadmaps projected to save over 45,000 lives and generate more than Sh 565 billion in economic returns by 2030.
Speaking during the launch of the report in Nairobi, Dr Edward Serem head of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) said that the RMNCAH-N investment plan positions health not merely as a social service, but as a critical engine for economic growth while directly tackling persistent challenges in maternal and child survival, equity, and social protection.
’’The investment case projected return on Investment (ROI) with modelling tools estimating that for every shilling invested in RMNCAH-N, Kenya stands to gain KSh 12.50 in productivity benefits, resulting in an estimated KSh 565 billion in cumulative economic gains by 2030.’’
Kenya’s Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, said that the documents represent the culmination of collective efforts by the Kenyan Government, the private sector, faith-based organizations, and development partners.
“These documents provide critical insights into the current status of health service delivery and the readiness of our facilities. They assess the health workforce landscape and the investments required to accelerate progress in maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition,” Duale said.
According to the investment plan the massive economic payoff is directly tied to the projected human impact. The full implementation of the plan is expected to prevent over 45,000 deaths between 2025 and 2030, including 6,495 maternal deaths, 27,995 child deaths, and 11,071 stillbirths. This progress is vital for the nation’s human capital, potentially extending life expectancy from 66 to 72 years.
To realize these life-saving ambitions, the total required investment is KSh 460 billion over five years. However, a significant challenge remains: only about 60percent of the necessary funding is currently available, leaving a substantial funding gap of KSh 193.8 billion. This gap necessitates immediate and strong advocacy for increased and predictable domestic financing.
The largest share, 43percent, is dedicated to Maternal and Newborn Health services, aiming to cut the maternal mortality ratio from 355 to 164 deaths per 100,000 live births by 2029/30.
Human Resources for Health (HRH) will consume over a third of the total cost. County governments are expected to bear the heavy financial burden of HRH, with the plan urging them to prioritize these workers and essential services in their budgets.
Commodity Procurement (medicines, vaccines, and supplies) will collectively absorb nearly 40percent of the expenditure, emphasizing the need for stronger coordination in supply chains.
The plan employs an integrated approach, addressing clinical gaps alongside critical social determinants of health.
In Maternal and Newborn Care space the Interventions focus on scaling up Emergency Obstetric Care (EmONC), strengthening skilled birth attendance, and improving inefficient referral systems that often lead to preventable deaths.
While Gender-Based Violence (GBV) having recognized GBV as a major public health barrier, the plan dedicates 8 percent of the budget to its elimination by 2030. This involves scaling up community mobilization and prevention education in schools, alongside empowerment programs for women and girls.
Interventions in Adolescents and Nutrition Services for adolescents should be expanded to include youth-friendly care, mental health support, and access to contraception to tackle high teenage pregnancy rates.
The nutrition focus prioritizes addressing micronutrient deficiencies and managing the emerging dual burden of malnutrition.
The success of the investment case hinges on robust coordination through a Multi-Stakeholder Country Platform led by the Ministry of Health, ensuring shared accountability across national and county governments, and partners. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) will be data-driven, utilizing county-level systems and regular performance reviews to track progress transparently.
While the roadmap is ambitious, the Ministry acknowledges that external factors like climate shocks, inequality, and weak infrastructure still threaten health outcomes.
Experts urge the integration of climate resilience into health planning to secure continuous delivery of life-saving services.
According to Dr Margaret Lubaale Executive Director According to HENNET other RMNCAH-N worrying trends include the declining rate of exclusive breastfeeding rates from 60 to 61 for the fisrt six months, increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, among women and adolescents and gaps in policies, infrastructure, human resources for health, and commodities and supplies.
“There is a need to sustain the gains made by planning ahead how we will finance the RMNCAHN programs domestically in Kenya, while committing more resources to high impact interventions with measurable outcomes in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as part of efforts to sustain and improve accountability and monitoring of the delivery of RMNCAHN services,” Lubaale said.
RMNCAHN is a comprehensive and integrated framework that addresses health needs across the life course, from pre-pregnancy through adolescence, with a strong emphasis on nutrition. This life-cycle approach acknowledges the interlinked nature of health issues and seeks to improve overall well-being through preventive, promotive, and curative services tailored to each population group.
The components of RMNCAHN include reproductive health (family planning and sexual well-being), maternal health (care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum), newborn health (care in the first 28 days), child health (growth and early development), and adolescent health (unique needs in sexual, mental, and physical health). Nutrition, now included as a critical pillar, supports all stages by promoting adequate dietary intake and addressing malnutrition, which is foundational to achieving positive health outcomes across all age groups.
Ultimately, the RMNCAH-N Investment Case is a clear commitment to UHC, positioning investment in women and children not just as a moral imperative, but as a core strategy for national development and prosperity.
