The newly commissioned Mutulani Family Care Unit, a modern maternity wing at Mutulani Dispensary. Photo by Gvrns Press. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Residents of Kee Ward in Kaiti Sub-County have received a major boost in healthcare access following the commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit, a modern maternity wing at Mutulani Dispensary.
The KSh17 million facility was officially opened by Mutula Kilonzo Jr. alongside Project Champion Paul Kasimu, marking a significant milestone in efforts to improve maternal and child health services in the region.
Implemented through a partnership between M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government, the project is expected to enhance access to quality maternity care for residents who previously faced long and difficult journeys to seek medical services.
Kasimu noted that the investment reflects a broader commitment by the foundation to work with county governments and communities to transform lives through sustainable development projects.
He highlighted that the new facility addresses critical gaps in healthcare access, particularly for expectant mothers who previously travelled up to 30 kilometres—sometimes by motorcycle—or as far as 50 kilometres to access maternity services.
“Motherhood should not be a punishment. It should be something to celebrate, not a death sentence,” he said, emphasizing the importance of bringing services closer to communities.
The facility, now classified as a Level Three health centre, is equipped with essential maternal health infrastructure, including ultrasound services aimed at enabling early detection of complications. This, Kasimu noted, will contribute to reducing maternal and infant mortality rates while preventing birth-related complications.
He further described the project as a model of successful collaboration that can be scaled up to reach more underserved communities across the country.
Governor Kilonzo Jr. underscored the critical role played by development partners in sustaining service delivery amid persistent budgetary constraints facing county governments.
“We have faced numerous challenges since assuming office in 2022. In our first year, we received funding equivalent to eleven months, and in the following year, our allocation was reduced by approximately KSh1.265 million,” he said.
He revealed that a significant portion of county revenue over the past three financial years has been absorbed by recurrent expenditures, particularly salaries and statutory obligations such as contributions to NSSF and NHIF.
As a result, donor funding has become essential in bridging financing gaps. The governor disclosed that the M-Pesa Foundation alone has implemented projects worth nearly KSh500 million in the county, while partners in the water sector have contributed between KSh300 million and KSh400 million.
“These are substantial resources that have come into Makueni outside our formal budget, yet they have ensured continued access to essential services that should ideally be funded through public revenue,” he said.
The commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit is expected to ease the burden on families, improve health outcomes, and reinforce ongoing efforts to strengthen primary healthcare systems in rural areas.
