KOICA deepens partnership for maternal and newborn health in Kajiado County
Sponsored by Korea International Cooperation Agency
H.E Governor Joseph Ole Lenku of Kajiado County, and Wankyu Park, the Country Director of KOICA Kenya Office, signed a Record of Discussion (RD) at the KOICA office on May 29, 2025.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the County Government of Kajiado have officially signed a Record of Discussion (RD) for the establishment of a Specialised Medical Centre (SMC),also known as Mamtoto,at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital on May 29, 2025, at the KOICA Kenya Office.
This initiative represents a pivotal step in KOICA’s long-standing efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kajiado County, and reflects the growing strength of the development partnership between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Kenya.
Valued at $14.1 million, the initiative, titled “Project for Quality Maternal and Newborn Health Service through Specialised Medical Center (SMC) of Kajiado County, Kenya (2025–2030),” aims to bolster health infrastructure, enhance clinical and operational capacities, and increase access to high-quality maternal and newborn care in one of Kenya’s most rapidly-growing regions.
When completed, the three-story level-five facility of approximately 6,200 square metres, will provide specialised maternal and new born services to over 19,000 clients from Kajiado County and beyond.
KOICA ambulance supports emergency patient transfer during outreach medical mission.
A legacy of partnership: 17 years of health system strengthening
KOICA’s involvement in Kajiado County’s health sector began in 2008 and has since evolved into a model of sustained development cooperation in health care. Over the past 17 years, KOICA has implemented a series of strategic health interventions designed not only to expand healthcare access, but also to improve quality of care and strengthen underlying systems.
The journey began with “The Improvement and Upgrading of Kitengela Health Centre (2008-2012) project”, a $2.17 million initiative.The project focused on improving maternal and child health by constructing a health centre equipped with maternal and emergency care facilities, along with capacity building through training programmes and expert dispatches. It also included the provision of essential medical equipment, such as ambulances, radiography machines, and ultrasound scanners, among others.
This foundational investment laid the groundwork for KOICA’s future health interventions in the region.
KOICA-supported health outreach in Kajiado County provided medical check-ups and prescriptions to local residents, delivering essential healthcare services to the community.
Building on this progress, KOICA implemented the “Project for Improving the Accessibility of Health Service and Raising Awareness of Maternal and Child Health in the County of Kajiado, Kenya (2016-2018)”, with an investment of $4.32 million. This phase prioritised community empowerment and behavioural change.
More than 175,000 residents in Kajiado East Sub-County benefitted from mobile outreach services, four ambulances for emergency response, awareness education, and the training of 351 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs). These efforts led to increased utilisation of essential maternal and child health services and improved public health awareness.
To sustain momentum, KOICA also provided post-project support from 2016-2018, and again from 2020-2022, allocating $200,000 each time to strengthen capacity and maintain key equipment.
Currently underway is the “Improving Maternal and Child Health through Health System Strengthening in Kajiado County, Kenya (2021-2026)”, a $6.05 million project. This initiative targets four sub-counties – Kajiado East, Kajiado Central, Kajiado West, and Kajiado South – reaching 242,845 direct beneficiaries, including pregnant women, newborns, and healthcare workers, and 572,000 indirect beneficiaries. It focuses on improving access to services, enhancing service quality, and encouraging community-led use of maternal and newborn healthcare services.
Empowering frontline health workers through capacity-building and training.
A new chapter: Specialised Medical Centre in Kitengela
The newly signed SMC project represents a culmination of KOICA’s phased approach in Kajiado County.
Located at Kitengela Sub-County Hospital, a level-four referral facility in Eastern Kajiado, the SMC will be the county’s first specialised maternal and newborn health institution. With an anticipated 89,699 direct and 1.2 million indirect beneficiaries, the centre will serve as a scalable model for high-impact, high-quality care.
The project directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3.1.2, 3.2.1, and 3.2.2, which target reductions in maternal mortality and under-five and neonatal deaths. It also aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030, Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and the Kenya Health Policy (2014–2030).
The new SMC project builds on these foundations and introduces several innovative features. It will strengthen the capacity of healthcare personnel through advanced training, fellowships, and infection prevention programmes aligned with the Kenya National Nursing and Midwifery Policy (2022-2032). It will also enhance hospital management systems by integrating Korean hospital operation models and developing strategic operational plans for Kitengela Sub-County Hospital.
In response to the high patient demand, the SMC will significantly expand existing infrastructure and install medical equipment to ensure safe and efficient service delivery for high-risk pregnancies, neonatal care, and gynaecological health. Training for both equipment operators and users will be supported to ensure long-term, self-sustaining management.
Anchored in partnership and sustainability
“This project is more than infrastructure. It is a testament to 17 years of shared vision, partnership, and trust,” said Mr Wankyu Park, KOICA Kenya Country Director. “KOICA is proud to walk this journey with the people of Kajiado as we move together toward a future where every mother and child has access to quality, dignified healthcare.”
KOICA’s contributions in Kajiado are guided by its Kenya Country Plan (CP), “Strengthen Health Services and Promote Comprehensive Hygiene for Healthy Lives.” By 2030, KOICA’s investment in maternal and newborn health in Kajiado is projected to exceed $27 million, directly benefiting more than 500,000 people.
With strong collaboration between KOICA, the County Government of Kajiado, civil society, and healthcare institutions, this partnership has laid a robust foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and self-sustaining health system. The consistent, phased approach ensures that new facilities and systems are not isolated interventions, but components of an evolving, integrated health ecosystem.
A model for development cooperation
The KOICA-Kajiado collaboration stands as a beacon of long-term, evidence-based international cooperation. It illustrates how sustained investment, grounded in mutual respect and shared priorities, can create meaningful change and advance global health equity. This partnership not only uplifts Kenyan communities, but also showcases the role of strategic development cooperation in achieving global goals such as SDG 3: Global Health and Well-being.
About KOICA
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is the Republic of Korea’s official development agency responsible for implementing grant-based development cooperation projects. With an annual budget exceeding $1.4 billion, KOICA supports inclusive and sustainable development worldwide across sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation, governance, and more.
The KOICA Kenya Office, set up in Nairobi in 2008, works closely with national and county governments, the United Nations, NGOs, and private sector actors to implement high-impact programmes that deliver sustainable development outcomes.