By Caroline Katana
Kwale County continues to grapple with a troubling maternal health crisis. In the 2024/2025 financial year alone, the county recorded 28 maternal deaths.
Between January and June 2025, 18 women died from pregnancy-related complications, while 13 maternal deaths were recorded between January and May 2026.
Health experts say many of these deaths are linked to preventable complications such as excessive bleeding after childbirth and pregnancy-related hypertension.
Yet amid the grim statistics, a growing movement promoting community health education, early antenatal care, family planning awareness, and male involvement, led by Fanikisha Foundation in partnership with the Kwale County Department of Health, is offering hope.
For Shaban Mohamed and his wife, Biishe Umazi, these interventions may have made the difference between another tragedy and a healthy pregnancy.
Shaban Mohamed alongside wife Biishe Umazi
The couple, who live in Mwamambi B village, know the pain of pregnancy loss all too well.
Last year, Biishe suffered a miscarriage after experiencing abnormal bleeding during her first pregnancy.
“We were told that the pregnancy had already been lost,” recalls Shaban.
The experience left the family devastated but also determined to do things differently when Biishe conceived again.
Today, Biishe is safely progressing through her second pregnancy thanks to early clinic attendance, timely medical intervention, and the support of a husband who now plays an active role in her maternal health journey.
When Biishe missed her menstrual period several months later, she decided to take a home pregnancy test, which confirmed she was pregnant.
Their excitement was soon interrupted when she began experiencing bleeding once again.
“We became worried because it looked exactly like what had happened during the first pregnancy,” said Shaban.
This time, however, the couple sought medical attention immediately. Doctors conducted tests and scans, confirmed the pregnancy, and prescribed medication to help stabilize it.
Some medicines were available at the hospital while others had to be purchased from a pharmacy.
“There was one medicine we delayed buying because we did not understand its importance. Later, the doctor explained that it was crucial in controlling the bleeding. Once Biishe started taking it, the bleeding stopped completely,” said Shaban.
Doctors also advised Biishe to avoid strenuous activities and focus on protecting the pregnancy. As a result, Shaban took on many household responsibilities.
“I learned that supporting a pregnant wife is part of protecting the baby. I now help with many tasks that she used to do herself,” he said.
Biishe began attending antenatal clinics when she was only two months pregnant. Since then, she has undergone two ultrasound scans and attended regular check-ups.
Today, she is attending her third antenatal clinic visit, and both mother and baby are reported to be healthy.
The couple attribute much of their knowledge to community health dialogues organized in their area.
The sessions educate families on maternal health, nutrition, family planning, childhood immunization, and the importance of male involvement during pregnancy.
For Shaban, one of the most valuable lessons was understanding the role fathers play in supporting expectant mothers.
“I encourage fellow men to accompany their wives to antenatal clinics from the earliest stages of pregnancy. When a woman attends clinic visits with her husband, she feels supported and encouraged. She does not feel alone,” he said.
He added that men who accompany their wives to clinics are also able to understand medical advice firsthand and provide practical support at home.
“Sometimes pregnant women are weak and cannot stand for long periods. When the husband is present, it becomes easier to seek help and support when needed,” he added.
The community dialogues also transformed the couple’s understanding of family planning.
Rather than viewing family planning as a way of limiting births, they now see it as a strategy for protecting the health of mothers and children.
“We learned that family planning helps create adequate spacing between children. It allows a child to receive proper care before another pregnancy occurs,” said Biishe.
She noted that spacing pregnancies gives women time to recover physically, rebuild their blood levels, and regain strength before carrying another pregnancy.
During the sessions held at Uwanja wa Jogoo in Diani, participants learned about different contraceptive methods, including injections, implants, pills, and intrauterine devices.
“We were taught that every woman should choose a method that is safe and suitable for her body,” she said.
According to Monica Ndegwa, Director of Fanikisha Foundation, maternal deaths remain a major concern in Kwale despite ongoing interventions.
Director Fanikisha Foundation Monica Ndegwa
She said postpartum hemorrhage and pregnancy-related hypertension remain among the leading causes of maternal deaths.
“The encouraging news is that many of these deaths are preventable,” said Ndegwa.
She encouraged women to begin antenatal care early and complete all eight recommended clinic visits.
“Early attendance allows health workers to identify danger signs before they become life-threatening. We also encourage women to register with SHA so that they can access healthcare services when needed,” she said.
Ndegwa said family planning is another critical intervention.
“Family planning is not about stopping women from having children. It is about ensuring adequate spacing between pregnancies so that mothers can recover and maintain healthy blood levels before becoming pregnant again,” she said.
For Community Health Promoter Saumu Said, one of the greatest challenges is convincing women to disclose pregnancies early.
“Some women hide their pregnancies because of fear, stigma, or cultural beliefs,” she said.
According to Saumu, delaying clinic visits often prevents women from receiving essential services during the critical early stages of pregnancy.
She encouraged expectant mothers to begin antenatal care immediately after discovering they are pregnant.
“Early antenatal visits allow women to receive folic acid supplements and other essential services that support the healthy development of the baby,” she said.
Saumu also promotes proper nutrition among pregnant women.
She advises expectant mothers to eat fruits, vegetables, and balanced meals while drinking enough water to prevent dehydration and dizziness.
Beyond pregnancy care, she follows up on childhood immunization schedules, educates mothers on breastfeeding practices, and links vulnerable families with health services.
She previously worked with mothers to establish kitchen gardens growing vegetables such as spinach and cowpeas to improve household nutrition, although funding constraints have slowed the initiative.
Having experienced both pregnancy loss and a healthy ongoing pregnancy, Biishe believes her story carries an important lesson for other women.
“I encourage mothers not to wait until they are five or six months pregnant before attending clinic. The moment you discover you are pregnant, whether it is one month or two months, go to the hospital and start receiving care,” she said.
She also urged women to follow medical advice and seek professional healthcare services throughout pregnancy.
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