𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐇𝐀 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐂𝐒 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

The government has significantly enhanced the Linda Mama program under the Social Health Authority (SHA), expanding benefits to safeguard the health of mothers, newborns, and families across the country.

Health Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale made the announcement during the commissioning of the Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Complex and groundbreaking of the School of Engineering Phase III at Umma University in Kajiado County.

Under SHA, the Linda Mama package now provides comprehensive coverage for antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC), delivery services—including both normal births and Caesarean Sections (C-sections)—as well as newborn care and essential treatments such as Anti-D serum.

“The benefits have not been scrapped—instead, they’ve been expanded to support mothers and families before, during, and after childbirth. To date, 627,155 mothers, including over 41,000 teenage mothers, have benefited from integrated maternal and newborn healthcare with financial protection,” said CS Duale.

In Kajiado County, more than 470,000 residents are already enrolled under SHA, part of the 26.5 million Kenyans registered nationwide. The reforms are designed to guarantee equitable access to healthcare—particularly at the grassroots—ensuring no family is left behind.

During a tour of the new academic facilities, CS Duale highlighted the nursing skills laboratory, which will provide hands-on training for students and advance safe patient care. He said this directly strengthens Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda.

The CS also underscored the government’s commitment to empowering women, recognizing their central role in society and reaffirming inclusion and equal opportunities.

The event, presided over by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, was hosted by Vice Chancellor Dr. Halima Abdullahi, alongside Kajiado Governor Hon. Joseph Ole Lenku. Other dignitaries included Chancellor Dr. Abass Gullet, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Muhailan of the Direct Aid Society (DAS), Education CS Hon. Julius Migos, and senior government officials.

This milestone reflects the power of global partnerships, with support from the Government of Kuwait through DAS, and signals progress in education, healthcare, and community development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).