The County Government of Siaya has posted a remarkable turnaround in child and maternal health, recording one of the lowest child mortality rates in the country, according to a new Ministry of Health report covering January to June 2025.
The report ranked Siaya 41st out of 47 counties, placing it among the least affected by child mortality. Nyandarua County emerged best overall, while Garissa, Mombasa, Isiolo, and Lamu recorded the highest mortality indices. Siaya’s impressive showing marks a sharp downward trend in infant deaths—an achievement attributed to Governor James Orengo’s N
yalore Administration and its aggressive investment in healthcare infrastructure.
Massive Investments Transform Healthcare Landscape
Under Governor Orengo’s leadership, Siaya has constructed new health facilities, upgraded several health centres to level-three hospitals, and modernized equipment at referral hospitals in Siaya, Bondo, Ugunja, and Ugenya sub-counties.
The Siaya County Referral Hospital has undergone a significant facelift, featuring a modern maternity theatre, expanded bed capacity, and advanced diagnostic equipment. In Bondo, the referral hospital received major upgrades and additional medical supplies, while Ukwala in Ugenya now boasts a fully functional modern maternity theatre.
Tegemeo Hospital in Ugunja and Nyangu Health Centre in Ugenya were elevated to higher levels of care through partnerships with development partners such as the Safaricom Foundation and Amref Health Africa, whose joint efforts led to the construction of new maternity wings and improved treatment units.
A new state-of-the-art health centre is also nearing completion in Boro, Alego Usonga, set to enhance healthcare access for residents of Usonga, Nyadorera, and surrounding areas.
Community Health and Emergency Response Boosted
In a bid to enhance emergency response, the county last year flagged off new ambulances for Ukwala and Madiany sub-county hospitals. Additionally, Governor Orengo’s administration has distributed bicycles to Community Health Promoters (Nyamrerwa) across the sub-counties, enabling faster access to expectant mothers in remote areas.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with Amref Kenya and CHS, has been praised for significantly improving last-mile healthcare delivery—reducing delays that often result in preventable deaths during childbirth.
Officials Praise Strategic Leadership
County Executive Committee Member for Health, Dr. Martin Konyango, lauded the progress, crediting the “strategic planning, strong governance structures, and unwavering commitment” of the Nayalore administration.
“The Governor’s focus on healthcare as a cornerstone of his development blueprint is bearing fruit. These results prove that with proper planning, partnerships, and investment, we can drastically reduce preventable deaths,” said Dr. Konyango.
He also praised the County Assembly, led by Speaker George Okode, for enacting health-focused legislation and supporting budgetary allocations critical to sustaining the reforms.
Big Wins, Bigger Ambitions
Governor Orengo’s administration has positioned affordable and universal healthcare as one of its flagship priorities. The county recently secured KSh 500 million in additional funding for the Siaya County Referral Hospital, earmarked for state-of-the-art equipment and facility expansion.
With the Ministry of Health’s latest report ranking Siaya among Kenya’s best-performing counties in reducing child mortality, the achievement stands as a morale booster for the health sector — and a validation of Governor Orengo’s bold vision for a healthier, more resilient Siaya.
Editor’s Note:
The Ministry of Health’s county health index (January–June 2025) places Siaya among the most improved counties nationwide in reducing child and maternal deaths, signaling a major stride in the pursuit of universal healthcare under devolution.
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