The County Government of Siaya, led by Governor James Orengo, launched the historic Siaya County Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Act, 2024. This act is aimed at protecting reproductive rights for women, children, adolescents, and young people, empowering communities, and strengthening health systems.
The architect of the RMNCAH Bill is the Member of County Assembly for North Ugenya Ward, Hon. Benard Adalla. The youthful legislator argued that given that health is a fundamental right, the Act would be a blueprint for health equity and inclusive care.
Fundamentally, the RMNCAH Act seeks to strengthen Siaya County’s healthcare infrastructure, making services more accessible, equitable, and inclusive. One of its primary objectives is to ensure that women can make decisions about their reproductive health without fear of maternal morbidity or mortality. More importantly, the Act extends beyond just healthcare for women. It covers services for children and adolescents, guaranteeing that every group has the necessary support to thrive. With more than 70% of investment expected to be repaid through improved RMNCAH services, this Act is not just a health initiative – it is an investment in the future of Siaya County.
Recognizing that Siaya County, like many other regions, has faced significant challenges in maternal and child health with high rates of maternal morbidity, adolescent pregnancies, and limited access to reproductive health services, the need for a robust healthcare policy is indeed urgent. The RMNCAH Act 2024 addresses these challenges by setting out a clear path to enhance healthcare delivery. It focuses on ensuring safe, accessible, and comprehensive health services for women, children, and adolescents – groups that have historically been underserved. The Act provides a structure through which healthcare facilities will prioritize reproductive health, guarantee the safety and autonomy of women, and improve health outcomes for future generations.
Hon. Adalla thanked Governor James Orengo and the executive team; the Siaya County Assembly; and strategic partners, including Amref Health Africa in Kenya, Marie Stopes Kenya, Access to Medicines Platform, KMET, NAYA Kenya, FEMNET, NYECBO, RONA Foundation, Nawiri, Siaya Muungano Network, JPHIEGO-TCI, Stawisha, RHARK, Pathway to Change Initiative formerly UCAHA, UDI, Smart Start Siaya, the media fraternity, and other organizations that supported the bill to its fruition.
The Act was enacted by the County Assembly of Siaya in September 2024 and has been signed into law by Governor Orengo. Siaya is the first among Kenya's 47 counties to implement such legislation, which focuses on improving health systems, empowering communities, and safeguarding reproductive rights with a special emphasis on pregnant women, mothers, children, adolescents, and youth.
The Act promotes nurturing care for early childhood development, enhances access to family planning services, particularly for adolescents, establishes a fund for sustainable implementation, and provides a legal framework to regulate and integrate reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services into the county health systems.
It further seeks to promote Articles 43(1)(a) and 53(1)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, by publicizing maternal and neonatal health issues, increasing access to health care services for pregnant and lactating women, and raising immunization and vaccination coverage for children. This pioneering Act sets a precedent for Siaya County in advancing health policies for vulnerable populations while reaffirming its commitment to high-quality and accessible health care for all.
During the ceremony, Governor Orengo was accompanied by various partners including officials from KMET, led by the Executive Director Madam Monica Ogutu, and top county officials. These included County Secretary Mr. Joseph Ogutu, CECMs Mr. Agunda Ochanda (Governance, Administration, and ICT) and Dr. Martin K’Onyango (Health and Sanitation), Speaker of the County Assembly of Siaya Mr. George Okode, and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) Mr. Gordon Onyango (East Asembo Ward) and Mr. Benard Adalla (North Ugenya Ward), who serves as a member of the Health Committee in the Assembly.