Elachi raises alarm over rising C-sections, pushes for better maternal care
By Faith Lagat, October 14, 2025Beatrice Elachi has urged Parliament to prioritise improvements in maternal healthcare, citing the increasing number of cesarean section deliveries in the country.
She made the remarks during the second reading of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Bill (Senate Bill No. 17 of 2023) in the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Reforms
Elachi highlighted gaps in emergency obstetric and newborn care services, which she said have been neglected. “I’m thinking it’s also important to strengthen emergency obstetric and newborn care services because that’s another area where, as a country, we have lost focus,” she told the House.
She expressed concern over the growing normalisation of C-section deliveries, noting that expectant mothers are often scheduled for surgical births as a routine practice.
“When you are pregnant, the first thing the doctor tells you is, ‘on this date, you have the knife on you.’ When did that become so normal?” she asked.
Elachi contrasted this with European practices, where natural delivery is encouraged whenever possible, and post-procedure challenges are openly addressed.
Maternal health bill
The bill, moved for its second reading by Hon. James Nyikal, aims to establish a legal framework to improve the quality and accessibility of maternal and child healthcare across Kenya. It outlines principles such as equity and respectful treatment for all mothers and children.
If passed, the Cabinet Secretary for Health would be tasked with enforcing regulatory standards to safeguard both healthcare providers and patients. The bill also proposes mandatory maternal and child health registers in all healthcare facilities to support data-driven decision-making.
Holistic approach
Several legislators supported the bill and proposed further enhancements. Hon. Fatuma Zainabu, MP for Migori, suggested expanding the scope to include fathers, proposing a rename to the Maternal, Paternal, Newborn and Child Health Bill, 2023. She emphasized the role of fathers in ensuring better health outcomes for families.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu welcomed the bill’s monitoring and evaluation provisions, noting that systematic documentation of maternal deaths would help identify contributing factors and inform targeted interventions.