A Short Walk, A Safe Birth

For decades in Mukuru, the arrival of a new baby was often shrouded in as much fear as joy. Without accessible, high-quality care, mothers faced a dangerous choice: deliver at home or a local pharmacy in unsanitary conditions, or attempt a long journey to a distant, overcrowded hospital while in active labor.

That story began to change on May 18th, 2018.

Before the Ruben Health Centre opened its maternity doors, the statistics were a grim reality for local families. In Kenya, nearly 5,000 mothers are lost every year to childbirth complications. In informal settlements like Mukuru, those risks were amplified by poverty and a lack of immediate, dignified medical intervention. For many, a safe birth felt like a luxury they couldn't afford.

The transformation of that landscape is best seen in the story of Pauline Moraa. At 6:00 AM, the 21-year-old mother walked from her home to the Ruben Health Centre.

In the old Mukuru, Pauline might have been another statistic of a home birth gone wrong. Instead, by 10:00 AM, she was holding her 3.2kg baby—the 7,500th child born safely at the facility. “I loved how the nurses attended to me. I would like to come back here again,” Pauline shared. Her words represent a fundamental shift for a mother who now views medical care with trust rather than hesitation.

The transformation of the maternal landscape in Mukuru is found in the remarkable data we’ve gathered over the last seven years and eight months. Out of 8,007 mothers admitted to our care, we have recorded only two maternal deaths, which is a testament to what is possible when skilled hands meet steady hearts. To date, 7,501 babies have been born and counting—a nearly even split of 3,724 girls and 3,777 boys who all began their lives in a sanctuary of dignity. Even when complications arose, our team remained a pillar of stability, successfully managing 809 high-risk referrals with expert care and precision.

Today, the Ruben Health Centre is a refuge. The change is measured not just in the thousands of babies born, but in the thousands of mothers who returned home to their families. What was once a journey of high risk has become a journey of guaranteed safety. We stand in deep gratitude to the mothers, the staff, and the partners who have turned this vision of change into a living reality.

Story by Benson Kagwima

Edits by Gregory Barake