Safaricom’s Ndoto Zetu initiative elevates maternal health in Kamukunji's Eastleigh with bed donation
This upgrade at the Eastleigh Health Centre—from fewer than eight outdated beds—represents a major improvement in both comfort and care for expectant mothers, significantly increasing the facility’s capacity to handle more deliveries.
Safaricom Foundation has strengthened maternal healthcare services in Kamukunji’s Eastleigh area by donating 20 modern maternity beds to the Eastleigh Health Centre.
This upgrade—from fewer than eight outdated beds—represents a major improvement in both comfort and care for expectant mothers, significantly increasing the facility’s capacity to handle more deliveries.
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According to the facility’s deputy head, Seth Rop, the centre previously managed an average of 45 to 50 deliveries per month.
“As we speak, with the support of Safaricom, we have seen numbers increasing. Right now, we are at 80, and we are seeing a possibility of even delivering 150 mothers in a month,” Rop said.
“Initially, the facility was lacking in terms of equipment. We had only a few beds, approximately eight of them, and they were not digital. The beds could not facilitate smooth delivery, especially when the patients come for delivery services.”
Responsible for antenatal, labour, and postnatal care, the facility had long struggled with inadequate resources—a gap the donation has significantly helped to close, Rop noted.
Public-private partnerships
Safaricom’s Director of Brand and Marketing, Zizwe Awuor, highlighted the crucial role of public-private partnerships in advancing community development through initiatives like this.
“As part of Safaricom Foundation, we handed over 20 beds to the value of Sh650,000. This is just one of the many investments we make from a foundation point of view since the inception of in 2003,” Awuor said.
“The new beds will provide mothers with more space and dignity, allowing them to give birth in a modern, upgraded environment.”
She noted that other health facilities within the community and across the country can also benefit from similar support by formally applying through the telco’s initiative.
The donation falls under Safaricom Foundation’s Ndoto Zetu programme, whose current application window remains open until August 16.
“We put aside Sh100 every year to support Kenyans and their projects in the spaces of health, education and economic empowerment,” she added.
Since 2003, Safaricom and M-Pesa foundations have collectively invested over Sh1.6 billion in more than 648 community projects across Nairobi County. Of this, Sh537 million has supported health initiatives, Sh633 million has gone to education, Sh138 million to environmental conservation and partnerships, and Sh272 million to economic empowerment.
Looking ahead, the facility’s deputy in charge made a fresh appeal to Safaricom and other potential partners, highlighting the continued need for support.
He pointed out gaps in critical medical equipment such as monitors, placenta macerators, laundry and water purification systems, as well as supplies for the neonatal unit. He also called for infrastructure upgrades, including landscaping and roof renovations.
The remarks were made during Tuesday’s handover ceremony held at the facility in Kamukunji constituency.
The donation is part of the Foundation’s wider commitment to enhancing community health services, with a strong emphasis on maternal and child healthcare.
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