The legal framework
Kenya abolished user fees for delivery in public facilities in 2013 and later folded the policy into a national programme covering antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care, including in accredited private and faith-based facilities. Skilled attendance at birth rose sharply as a result. Maternity leave is three months, with two weeks of paternity leave.
Kenya abolished user fees for deliveries in public facilities in 2013 under the Linda Mama free maternity programme, which was later folded into the national insurer, and facility deliveries rose sharply as a result. The remaining costs are indirect: transport, supplies, and the informal charges that persist in some facilities. Maternity leave is three months, with two weeks of paternity leave.
Key points
| Free maternity programme | Covers antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care |
|---|---|
| Accredited facilities | Includes private and faith-based facilities, not only public ones |
| Maternity leave | Three months, with two weeks of paternity leave |
| Antenatal care | Eight contacts recommended; first visit in the first trimester |
| Skilled attendance | Rose substantially after fees were abolished |
| HIV | Testing and treatment integrated into antenatal care |
| Remaining barriers | Transport, informal charges and distance in arid counties |
In practice
- Register for the national programme early: it covers accredited private facilities too.
- Informal charges are not lawful under the programme; ask for an official receipt.
- Attend the first antenatal visit in the first trimester.
- Community health promoters can arrange transport in some counties.
Cost and coverage
Antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care are covered by the national programme.
Recent changes
The free maternity programme has been absorbed into the reformed national health insurance framework, with registration now digital; coverage of antenatal and postnatal visits has been extended.
Where to go
- Public health facilities and accredited private and faith-based facilities.
- County health departments.
- Community health promoters.
Worth knowing
The programme covers accredited private and mission facilities as well as public ones. Many women pay privately without realising the same care is covered.
Frequently asked questions
Is delivery free in Kenya?
In public facilities and accredited private ones under the national maternity programme, yes, covering antenatal visits, delivery and postnatal care. Registration is required, and in practice families still pay for transport and sometimes for supplies, which is the main remaining barrier.
How long is maternity leave?
Three months of paid maternity leave under the Employment Act, and two weeks of paternity leave, for employees. Annual leave cannot be set off against it. Informal-sector workers, who are the majority, have no statutory entitlement.
Official sources and links
- eCitizen — official government services portal