Health Ministry Reports Success in Reducing Infant Mortality

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has announced progress in lowering the country’s infant mortality rate, citing national data showing a decline to 32 deaths per 1,000 live births as of 2022. Officials say that this improvement reflects the results of targeted investments in maternal and child health, including better patient-safety measures in neonatal care units.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, infant mortality dropped from 39 to 32 per 1,000 over the past decade, while under-five mortality has also fallen from 52 to 41 per 1,000. The Ministry credits this progress to stronger primary healthcare, community health initiatives, and quality-of-care improvements in maternity and newborn services.
Despite the gains, the Health Ministry warns that key challenges remain — including preventable causes of infant death such as birth asphyxia, prematurity, infections, and gaps in neonatal care systems. To address these, the government is rolling out new interventions: digitising the Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system, ramping up 24-hour theatre access and neonatal resuscitation, and enhancing blood and oxygen availability for newborns.
Looking forward, the Ministry is calling for renewed partnerships with counties, development agencies, and community organisations to sustain the downward trend. Officials emphasize that further cuts in infant mortality will require long-term commitment to strengthening care across the continuum — from home visits by community health workers to high-quality facility-based neonatal services.