Trans Nzoia women urged to give birth in hospitals

Trans Nzoia women urged to give birth in hospitals

Trans Nzoia first lady Mrs. Rose Khaemba has lamented over the higher percentage of mothers in Trans Nzoia County who do not give birth in hospitals but instead visit traditional birth attendants, who she said are inexperienced and cannot handle critical situations leading to death.

She said in such cases where mothers end up losing their lives in the hands of the traditional birth attendants, no one reports and the family traditionally associate it to witchcraft.

Mrs. Khaemba called on residents to join hands in curbing the situation and encouraged expectant mothers to fully utilize the free maternity services, put in place by the government to ensure all pregnant women access medical service while giving birth.

“We want to bring awareness to the public that you should not allow your mother or sister to go and have birth with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) because they are not experienced and in case of complications the mother just dies,” warned Mrs. Khaemba.

However, she said since the county governments came to being in 2013 there was some complications because the roles of first ladies were not put into consideration, and that she has not been on the ground.

“But when the first lady Mrs. Margret Kenyatta called us to join her for beyond zero campaign which advocates for zero maternal and child health it is when I came to be recognized” She said.

Speaking in Kitale Mrs. Khaemba thanked the first lady for the good initiative, and urged all ladies in Trans Nzoia to unite and come with whatever little they have to show the world that they care for the children they give birth to.

She added that she must emulate what the first lady is doing and plans to organize a marathon in Trans Nzoia, which will support mothers and children who are not well off.

“Charity begins at home, we want to plan a county marathon and collect money which can help the needy in the society.” Said Mrs. Khaemba, urging all to stand together with her to make the Trans Nzoia marathon a reality.