By Njeri Irungu,
November 17 2025,
Makueni, Kenya.
First Lady of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Madam Tessie Musalia, has called for greater national investment in maternal and newborn health, urging government, policymakers, and partners to prioritize support for preterm babies and their mothers. She was speaking in Makueni County during a ceremony where the Mudavadi Memorial Foundation Trust Fund handed over life-saving neonatal equipment under its Okoa Malaika programme.
The event was hosted at the Mother and Child Hospital, a branch of Machakos Referral Hospital, recently lauded for upgrading its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Musalia commended the facility’s standards, recalling how its pristine environment caught her attention.
“Your doctor said that if you walk through their hospital, it smells clean, it is clean, and it is very organized,” she said. “And I responded, yes, I’m aware of that—because if you had intentionally done it for today, there would have been a cowhide somewhere.”
She noted that the Okoa Malaika programme—launched two years ago—was designed to complement both county and national government efforts to reduce preventable deaths among preterm infants. The initiative equips level 4 and 5 hospitals with incubators and incubator blankets.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the People’s Republic of China,” she said. “Their support has been instrumental in the realization of our Okoa Malaika programme, which loosely means ‘save the angels’.”
So far, the programme has reached 22 counties, distributing over 45 incubators. Musalia thanked Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. for hosting the event and acknowledged the warm welcome extended by First Lady Madam Anita Kilonzo.
The highlight of the ceremony was the presence of children who were born prematurely but have since thrived. Musalia described them as a living symbol of hope. “Look at them now—little flowers, future footballers. What a lovely sight to behold,” she said. “Each incubator and each infant supported represents a triumph, and today, the triumph is represented right before us.”
She emphasized that reducing preterm births requires stronger maternal health focus, including better management of diabetes, hypertension, and nutrition during pregnancy. Musalia also cited findings from the World Health Organization linking climate change to worsening maternal and newborn health outcomes.
But she reserved her most emotional appeal for the mothers of preterm infants—women who often spend their entire maternity leave inside hospitals, oscillating between NICU corridors and duty at home.
“They stay beside incubators, fighting fear and exhaustion as they pray for their babies’ survival,” she said. “If we are committed to improving newborn survival, then we must equally commit to supporting the young mothers who bring these babies into the world.”
Musalia urged the Government of Kenya under President William Ruto, policymakers, and employers to champion extended maternity leave for mothers of preterm babies, arguing that supporting the mother strengthens the child, the family, and the nation.
She also appealed for greater investment in Community Health Promoters (CHPs), describing them as the essential link between households and health facilities.
“They identify pregnant women at risk, provide antenatal follow-up, and make timely referrals before complications become emergencies,” she said. “It is imperative that we strengthen their skills and resources to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability.”
Her call was echoed by Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Haiyan, who praised the Mudavadi Foundation’s work and reaffirmed China’s commitment to maternal and child health.
“It is truly remarkable and deeply commendable that the foundation has distributed incubators and incubator blankets to 22 counties,” she said. “Every life is precious. Every family deserves warmth and hope.”
The ambassador highlighted China’s long-standing efforts in neonatal and maternal care, including establishing over 3,000 NICUs nationwide. She expressed optimism about deeper cooperation with Kenya.
“Together, we can enhance our joint effort in premature infant care, family support, and capacity building to create a brighter and healthier future for every little angel—Malaika,” she said.
As the event closed, Musalia reaffirmed her commitment to championing vulnerable infants and the women who care for them, calling for sustained partnerships to ensure that no baby is lost to preventable causes.
