Mbagathi County Referral Hospital is set for a major infrastructure upgrade following approval of funding by the M-PESA Foundation to construct a comprehensive maternity block, a move expected to significantly improve maternal and newborn care in Nairobi.
The funding was approved by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees during a meeting held on September 5, 2025, following a request by the hospital’s management.
According to an approval letter dated September 8, 2025, the support of KSh120 million grant will go towards the construction and equipping of a modern maternity complex comprising triage and consultation rooms, antenatal and postnatal wards, labour and delivery suites, an obstetric theatre, recovery rooms, a pharmacy, a laboratory, and a kangaroo mother care unit. The project will also include a borehole, power backup systems, and landscaping to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Speaking on the project, Mbagathi County Referral Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr. Alexander Irungu said the new facility will address long-standing capacity challenges while improving the quality of care.
“The new maternity complex will significantly decongest our existing wards while bringing critical services such as obstetric theatres, kangaroo mother care, and modern diagnostic facilities under one roof, greatly improving outcomes for both mothers and babies,” he said.
The project will be implemented under the supervision of the M-PESA Foundation’s project management consultants, with funding subject to the signing of a standard grant agreement and submission of the required documentation.
Dr. Irungu described the partnership as a major boost to public healthcare delivery, noting that the facility will serve thousands of residents who rely on Mbagathi Hospital as a key referral centre.
“We are grateful for this partnership with the M-PESA Foundation, which strengthens our mission to expand access to quality public healthcare and reduce preventable maternal and neonatal risks through improved infrastructure and reliable support systems,” he added.
Once completed, the new maternity complex is expected to reduce health risks for mothers and newborns, improve service efficiency, and enhance access to dignified, comprehensive maternal healthcare in the city.
