According to UNICEF figures, about 5,000 women and nearly 30,000 newborn babies die every year in Kenya from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
As a response, a women-led group of nurses known as the Boda Girls have been behind the scenes bridging an important gap in maternal healthcare in the Ukwala area of western Kenya. 
Every day, the Boda Girls ride motorcycles across rural communities, transporting pregnant women to ensure they do not miss antenatal appointments and helping them reach health facilities safely and on time during labour.
In Ukwala, as well as in three other rural counties in western Kenya, limited access to affordable transportation remains a major challenge for residents. This women-led initiative has become a lifeline, making pregnancy and childbirth safer and more accessible.
The Boda Girls are making pregnancy and childbirth a safer journey for women across rural Kenya by making pregnant and nursing mothers the centre of attention and care.
Some members of the Boda Girls are nurses and trained health workers who have received specialised training on how to safely transport pregnant women. They drive across remote communities, ensuring timely access to healthcare facilities.
Maternal Mortality in Kenya
At a policy convention held in Nairobi in December 2025, Dr. Margaret Lubaale (Executive Director) and Lisa Mushega (CAAP Focal Point and Legal Policy Expert) of the Health NGOs Network (HENNET) analyzed the country’s alarming maternal and child mortality rates.
HENNET is Kenya’s largest health NGO partnership and the coordinating partner for the PMNCH Collaborative Advocacy Action Plan (CAAP).
In their report, they stated that postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains the leading cause of maternal mortality, accounting for 40 per cent of deaths. According to data gotten from the Kenya Health Information System, it is followed by obstructed labour (28%) and eclampsia (14%).
They added that these complications also significantly contribute to newborn asphyxia, one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality in the country.
Who are the Boda Girls?
Founded in 2022 by two Kenyan health foundations, the Boda Girls initiative has continued to record significant impact. Evelyn Achieng, a nurse with the organisation said they have recorded a 67% increase in hospital deliveries.
Nevertheless, the maternal mortality rate in Kenya remains high, driven by inadequate access to transportation and healthcare facilities as well as trained medical professionals.
The Boda Girls stands as a powerful example of a community- and women-centred solution, proving that addressing simple but critical gaps can transform maternal healthcare outcomes.
About The Author
